|
|
Post by 54roadie on Mar 20, 2015 8:09:30 GMT
   When I bought this last fall, it looked like this. Very clean, all Viscount OEM except for QR skewers, and the usual replaceables- chain, tires, etc. I've since stripped the frame, cleaned it up a bit, and started a complete rebuild. it will soon be a TT machine, using an eclectic mix of NOS and more modern parts. One BB bearing and 3 of 4 wheel bearings were running rough and sounding dry. After only forty years, go figure! They have all been replaced. Tomorrow I will buff out the hubs and crankset; I'm hoping to get a mirror shine, but we'll see. |
|
|
|
Post by triitout on Mar 20, 2015 17:21:22 GMT
Another Viscount being rescued is always a good thing. You should compare notes with our other time trialer, Whippet. He's done well racing his Sport. If you don't know already, be careful with securing the pedal "V" caps. When they pop off and go, they're gone. I had the pleasure of talking with Frank the other day and the above pictured saddle is on its way to me. Maybe it'll go on my Pro since it was OEM. I'm curious to see if my arse is hard enough to take on this saddle. Anyone familiar with the show "American Pickers"? We have a new Mike and Frank..... picking Viscounts.
|
|
|
|
Post by velocipete on Mar 20, 2015 19:04:12 GMT
Good for you,just find the fabled "area 51" and I can die happy!
Cheers,
Pete.
|
|
Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,389 
|
Post by Jem on Mar 20, 2015 20:49:44 GMT
Very tidy, plus original reflectors and toe straps....Viscount heaven!
|
|
|
|
Post by vtchuck on Mar 20, 2015 21:33:26 GMT
If I were building a Viscount TT bike, I'd be looking to reduce weight on items that rotate.... Wheels, cranks, pedals. Lose the "suicide levers", reflectors and wide clincher rims & tires. The deep drop bars are perfect for a TT bike. A light plastic saddle and side-pull brakes would shave some weight. Big advantages would be light, narrow rims and tires... maybe tube-less clinchers or sew-ups. There are certainly lighter FD and shifters.... and maybe you could drill out the "port-hole" rings or substitute a lighter crankset? Modern clipless pedals would be lighter as would be a tight 13-17 freewheel A lightweight cro-moly or carbon or aluminum fork could save up to a pound With that frame size and the right replacements, you could get a bike that was close to 21 lbs. Or you could ride it as is and have fun.  |
|
|
|
Post by 54roadie on Mar 21, 2015 17:38:26 GMT
Thank you all for your support and enthusiasm. It's a great winter - sanity saving - project.
I fully expect the finished bike to weigh well under twenty lb. The 27" OEM rims, tires and tubes (brand new if anyone wants them) are already off the hubs. I'm polishing and then rebuilding with Araya ADX aero and Tufo tubulars. Found a lightly used carbon/aluminum fork on eBay to replace the steel Tange. it's threadless, so on go the new headset, modern stem, and bullhorn style TT bars. etc. The BB, crankset and hubs are about the only OEMs to stay. I was hoping to use the seatpost, but it looks to be about 15mm too short. Sigh. Even the brakes won't work - the pads, at the highest setting, slide nicely beneath the rim when mounted on that fork. Weinmann 500s with Koolstop pads.
The driveline will be: Campy DT shifters, Huret Jubilee rear and SunTour Superbe front. No I won't use the OEM stuff. Speaking only for myself, and not getting into arguments, but I DO NOT EVER USE SHIMANO. Regina 12-21 6 speed freewheel - I live in Chicago, it's flat. Like pancake. Yes, it gets windy, sometimes really windy, but if I can't get through a 40k TT on a 42 x 21, lower gears will not make me faster. (Rule 5, and all that.)
Profile aero bolt ons, a Terry Tri/TT "fly" saddle, and a sweet pair of Ti axled Exustar Keo-clone pedals complete the picture. Pics to follow of course. As soon as I get the crankset and hubs buffed so bright they hurt your eyes to look at them.
|
|
|
|
Post by vtchuck on Mar 21, 2015 21:37:19 GMT
Sounds like you have the plans for a great Franken-Viscount. I recall seeing photos in the 70's of UK time-trialers using
monster 55-56 tooth TA chainwheels. With the Viscount cranks you have that option.... but you don't have the hedgerows
to shield you from the wind.
I look forward to seeing photos of the final set-up.
|
|
|
|
Post by 54roadie on Mar 22, 2015 18:35:58 GMT
We could use some hedgerows around here! We don't have them in the urban areas, and it takes until July before the corn is high enough out in farm country. Of course just about every other field is soy...
|
|
