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Post by parabolous on Apr 20, 2015 1:10:10 GMT
Hi all! I'm new to the forum; coming out of Albuquerque, New Mexico! I recently found and purchased an original, 1974 Viscount Aerospace Pro in Los Alamos, NM. The owner was the original purchaser of the bike, he gave me all the documents of the bike including his receipt and registration with the local police department, and even some brochures and owners manual that he got in, I believe 1975-76, to get the fork replaced. He didn't have the original fork, though. I'm not sure if the fork is a Tange, or an Akisu fork, however. He even found one of the original toe straps as we were discussing the bike! The bike is in amazing condition! No play that I've found with any of the bearings, and I don't see any reason to replace as of now. Paint is amazing, still, but the TT decals are flaking off. The original cotton bar wrap is tearing and showing age but still useful. The rubber bar hoods are cracking and drying out so I will be removing them to preserve them. The only problem I can see so far, is the RD cable line has gotten stretched so trying to shift would be impossible, so that will be changed, as well. The saddle is in surprisingly good condition, the original owner had kept a sheepskin cover on it since owning it. The saddle still has life in it, so I will condition and polish it and continue to ride with it. My plan is to overhaul everything and clean it up so that I can ride it! If anyone sees anything odd or missing on the bike please let me know! These bikes are unique and odd but amazing nonetheless.                       Thanks for looking! |
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bendo
Viscount
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Post by bendo on Apr 20, 2015 1:41:34 GMT
What a score! Brochures and everything. Well done and lucky you. You've even got the pedal dust caps. Those red Lambert toe-straps are beautiful but flimsy. I snapped one just tightening it, so they're for decoration only.
And welcome to our little corner of teh interwebs!
b
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Post by triitout on Apr 20, 2015 3:15:05 GMT
Another treasure rediscovered. Welcome aboard!
A little trick with the brake hoods......paint on clear silicone sealer to preserve them. Nothing fancy, just regular Home Depot type will do. I did that on my GP about 1 1/2 years ago and it really keeps them from falling apart any further. Yours actually look like they're in better shape then mine were. Bendo is right about the toe straps! FYI, the fork looks like the sloping Tange replacement sent out with the Tange headset in 1981 when Yamaha did the recall. I've got one courtesy of vtchuck and it looks just like yours. Happy riding!
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Post by velocipete on Apr 20, 2015 6:27:23 GMT
Welcome from our side of the pond! A beautiful bike with great patination.
I'd just clean and lubricate it,add new tyres and brake blocks and enjoy riding
it.
Have you checked it with a guiger counter? Perhaps the radiation preserved it!
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by 54roadie on Apr 20, 2015 17:58:35 GMT
Welcome! That's a beautiful bike, wonderful condition. It was a very lucky find, especially with all the brochures and manuals and all. I trust you'll enjoy it.
Frank
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Jem
Viscount
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Post by Jem on Apr 20, 2015 19:10:14 GMT
Welcome to the forum - great photo's!!!
That story perfectly illustrates why I spend too much time looking on used sales sites on-line, in classifieds and at local yard and car boot sales...dreaming of picking something like that up, with paperwork too- lucky you, enjoy it!
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Post by parabolous on Apr 20, 2015 20:00:44 GMT
What a score! Brochures and everything. Well done and lucky you. You've even got the pedal dust caps. Those red Lambert toe-straps are beautiful but flimsy. I snapped one just tightening it, so they're for decoration only. And welcome to our little corner of teh interwebs! b Thanks! I do have the pedal caps, but I'm not sure I want to run them, I hear they pop off quite a bit! I'll be getting some red leather replacement straps to ride with. I think the only part I may be missing is the seat clamp bolt with the V logo. |
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Post by parabolous on Apr 20, 2015 20:02:54 GMT
Another treasure rediscovered. Welcome aboard! A little trick with the brake hoods......paint on clear silicone sealer to preserve them. Nothing fancy, just regular Home Depot type will do. I did that on my GP about 1 1/2 years ago and it really keeps them from falling apart any further. Yours actually look like they're in better shape then mine were. Bendo is right about the toe straps! FYI, the fork looks like the sloping Tange replacement sent out with the Tange headset in 1981 when Yamaha did the recall. I've got one courtesy of vtchuck and it looks just like yours. Happy riding! I will look into that, I didn't know that would work! I'll be replacing the hoods with some Dia-Compe hoods probably and preserve the original hoods, so, good to know. Thanks for the info on the fork! I wasn't sure what model it was but when I saw the Tange headset I thought it was the Tange fork. |
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Post by parabolous on Apr 20, 2015 20:05:21 GMT
Welcome from our side of the pond! A beautiful bike with great patination. I'd just clean and lubricate it,add new tyres and brake blocks and enjoy riding it. Have you checked it with a guiger counter? Perhaps the radiation preserved it! Cheers, Pete. Good idea! I will probably clean it and wait for some TT decals to come in, but it's almost worth keeping the degrading decals in my opinion. Tubular tires are rare and expensive these days, but the bike is definitely worth it! Haha I probably should have had it checked before I took it inside my house! |
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Post by parabolous on Apr 20, 2015 20:05:59 GMT
Welcome! That's a beautiful bike, wonderful condition. It was a very lucky find, especially with all the brochures and manuals and all. I trust you'll enjoy it. Frank Thank you! I can't wait to ride it! |
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Post by parabolous on Apr 20, 2015 20:08:57 GMT
Welcome to the forum - great photo's!!! That story perfectly illustrates why I spend too much time looking on used sales sites on-line, in classifieds and at local yard and car boot sales...dreaming of picking something like that up, with paperwork too- lucky you, enjoy it! Thank you! I'm pretty terrible at taking pictures, so that's a win for me! I spend quite a bit of time when I can looking at used bikes online. The quality of vintage bikes are top notch, something you can't really find these days unless you're willing to spend thousands! The paperwork was such a great added bonus, the original owner took really good care for it and I could see the emotion he had for the bike. I will keep contact with him and show him what the bike can do! |
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Post by Stella on Apr 20, 2015 20:44:12 GMT
Welcome and wow, what a find! I'm so jealous of the brochures! The bike is in very good condition. Enjoy the ride, I'm sure you will. :-)
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Post by stoatie on Apr 20, 2015 21:46:49 GMT
Tubular tires are rare and expensive these days, but the bike is definitely worth it! Hiya and welcome, looks great. I run Vittoria Rally tubulars on my sport, they're about £14 each over here and quite commonly available. Is it definitely tubular rims though? |
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Post by triitout on Apr 20, 2015 22:41:24 GMT
Looks like old IRC tires on clincher Birmalux rims based on the pics with the hint of a green label on the tire. Black and silver Pro's were generally clincher not tubular.
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Post by whippet on Apr 21, 2015 19:03:47 GMT
Wow! What amazing original condition. Welcome :-)
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Post by parabolous on Apr 21, 2015 20:31:31 GMT
Welcome and wow, what a find! I'm so jealous of the brochures! The bike is in very good condition. Enjoy the ride, I'm sure you will. :-) Thanks so much! It was a done deal for me when the original owner mentioned all the paperwork he had haha. I can't wait to ride it! Just need to get some new RD cable on it. |
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Post by parabolous on Apr 21, 2015 20:33:07 GMT
Tubular tires are rare and expensive these days, but the bike is definitely worth it! Hiya and welcome, looks great. I run Vittoria Rally tubulars on my sport, they're about £14 each over here and quite commonly available. Is it definitely tubular rims though? You know, I was pretty sure they were tubular but now I have to check! Haha Looks like old IRC tires on clincher Birmalux rims based on the pics with the hint of a green label on the tire. Black and silver Pro's were generally clincher not tubular. I pulled back some of the tire the other day and it seemed to be glued down but I will definitely check and post some pictures of the tire brand (if I can find any) and of the rims. |
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Post by velocipete on Apr 21, 2015 20:40:04 GMT
Black banded Pros were normally clinchers,blue banded tubs. I think there have been cases were dealers mixed and matched the wheels to get a sale.
I believe more so in the US.
As Tritout says,your bike certainly looks like clinchers.Not much difference in weight or perfomance with modern tyres.A damned site more convenient though!
Enjoy!!!!
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by parabolous on Apr 21, 2015 23:51:49 GMT
Verdict is in! You guys are good! The wheels are clincher. Which is cheaper for me but I think tubs are pretty cool. I took a couple photos of the tires, back wheel and the interesting front hub. Can anyone see what's off about it? Rear tire and rim   Front tire (ouch!) and front hub   Actually my picture taking skills show through again! You may not be able to see because of the glare but try to guess anyway! |
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Post by parabolous on Apr 22, 2015 14:34:05 GMT
Did these bikes come with crank arm dust caps? I can't see any in any of the pictures but I want to make sure.
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Post by vtchuck on Apr 22, 2015 19:12:16 GMT
Did these bikes come with crank arm dust caps? I can't see any in any of the pictures but I want to make sure. Chrome Bolts, No dust caps, but "high profile" types like Sugino would likely fit..... Campy don't have the clearance. As far as Clincher vs. Sew-ups.... I believe the silver and black Pros were clincher.... white and blue?? were tubular Panaracer Paellas are a really nice modern replacement for the IRC clinchers Here's mine: Same colors:  |
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Post by velocipete on Apr 22, 2015 19:15:43 GMT
DO NOT RIDE THAT FRONT HUB!!!!! The bearings seem to have worn through the outer shell.
A death fork would have nothing on that failure. Most death forks didn't fail,that hub
WILL!!!!
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by vtchuck on Apr 22, 2015 19:26:42 GMT
DO NOT RIDE THAT FRONT HUB!!!!! The bearings seem to have worn through the outer shell. A death fork would have nothing on that failure. Most death forks didn't fail,that hub WILL!!!! Cheers, Pete. Do you see that in this photo?  I see some tarnishing and maybe pitting. Not questioning your expertise, just curious. |
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Post by velocipete on Apr 22, 2015 19:40:47 GMT
Hubs don't pit from the outside above the ball races. Better safe than sorry,the hub looks clean enough
for it not to be tarnishing.I'd be very happy to be proved wrong though.
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by vtchuck on Apr 22, 2015 19:47:07 GMT
Hubs don't pit from the outside above the ball races. Better safe than sorry,the hub looks clean enough for it not to be tarnishing.I'd be very happy to be proved wrong though. Cheers, Pete. Death Forks! Death Stems! Now Death Hubs!  Again.... I trust your expertise and with Viscount's interesting history of quality control (or lack thereof) I guess it wouldn't surprise me. Headed down to the cellar to check the hubs on mine. Cheers Edit: Mine look fine.... I'm wondering what might cause this to happen.... my first thought is that the axle lock nuts were over- tightened, forcing the bearing to press against the inner shoulder of the hub. Unlike a loose bearing set-up, the bearing might still turn even if over-tightened. |
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Post by velocipete on Apr 22, 2015 21:04:17 GMT
I reckon you are absolutely right there. Now whether they were overtightened at the factory,I doubt it.
I must admit it's the first time I've ever seen that happen. I wonder if the aluminium hub was a
particularly soft batch. Like the cranks?
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by triitout on Apr 23, 2015 0:53:44 GMT
vtchuck,don't forget the Death Pedals! I really hope that we're just looking at some grease and not another Area 54. The bike IS in NEW MEXICO after all |
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Post by parabolous on Apr 23, 2015 14:37:31 GMT
So after really checking out the front hub I can't see that the bearings have worn through the hub shell, it is like vtchuck said, it's more like pitting with dirt in the small pits. I will inspect more though, to be sure. The axle nuts do not seem to be over-tightened so I'm not sure how else this could be caused. The wheel is smooth when turning and will spin for quite an amazing amount of time.
I will definitely at least take out the bearings and get a good look from the inside of the hub.
Now, finding a Viscount front hub will definitely be a challenge!
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Post by parabolous on Apr 23, 2015 14:38:42 GMT
vtchuck,don't forget the Death Pedals! I really hope that we're just looking at some grease and not another Area 54. The bike IS in NEW MEXICO after all Haha! You're right about strange things happening here, and this bike is no different! |
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Post by parabolous on Apr 23, 2015 14:54:42 GMT
Oh! I didn't even say why the front hub is interesting in the first place haha. If you look close you'll see that the Viscount stamp is muddled because it was stamped twice, both forwards and backwards! I thought it was kind of cool to see that, though maybe not that cool with a hint of death that might occur from running it haha!
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