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Post by bikerestorer on Jul 8, 2015 21:54:59 GMT
I recently bought what I hoped was going to be a simple clean up, repaint and put back together job off eBay:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-1980s-VISCOUNT-AEROSPACE-ROAD-RACING-BIKE-23-INCH-FRAME-/121691328868?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=tAsZXLXHXN58%252FAGyl1L%252BP1hU%252BWc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
but unfortunately on stripping down the bike it looks to be a bit more complicated than I hoped.
Problems as I see them are:
a hole has worn through the underside of the top tube where one of the cables has been rubbing (never seen that before!) the seat post is well and truly stuck. the stem is stuck. the back wheel is not original Mavic with Viscount hub (a real shame as the large flange hubs were part of the attraction for me. the spokes are rusty on both wheels.
I have not tried too hard to resolve the seat post or stem as I was kind of spooked when I saw the hole in the frame..
All other parts seems ok, although nuts, blots and stuff are a bit rusty. I'll probably re-use the gears and rear wheel for another project, but I don't really have the time of inclination to proceed with trying to fix this one. Consequently I was wonder if someone who has is interested in taking the frame off my hands before I send it to scrap?
Thanks.
Phil
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Post by triitout on Jul 9, 2015 0:58:28 GMT
Geez, a hole in the frame. A new Death part to add to the list. But seriously, did you contact ebay about their buyer protection plan to try and get a refund? A defect like that should be noted by the seller. Ebay went to bat for me on a purchase gone wrong and I received a refund. Maybe contact the seller and they'll take it back. Shame because it looks nice enough in the listing. GOOD LUCK!
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Post by 54roadie on Jul 9, 2015 3:11:09 GMT
Hi Phil,
Wow! Am I seeing this correctly? The seat post has a stem type internal expander to hold it in place, and there is no external seat tube bolt?
If you lived anywhere near Chicago I might consider it, just for that. Fixing the hole, I'd think, would not be difficult for a decent frame builder.
If you decide to keep it, or want to put a little effort in, just to see what happens, I would loosen that bolt and pull it, then squirt a healthy dose of a good break free / anti rust / penetrating oil and let it sit for a couple of days. Then thread the bolt back into the expander plug, heat up the whole area with a hair dryer set on high (really heat it up, even a few ten thousandths expansion will make things so much easier) and wack the bolt with a hammer and a block of wood.
Of just find one of us to give it a go. Anyone? Stella?
Frank
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,418 
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Post by Jem on Jul 9, 2015 5:06:27 GMT
Phil, That's nice of you to come over and offer it! Thanks. It seems a bit shoddy that the seller didn't mention it. Unless it isn't visible to the average none cycling person and he has no interest in the bike? That top tube must have have a lot of rubbing!!  I guess the the parts alone are worth what you paid for it. Quick question - how is the chrome looking on the fork? Regards Jem |
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Post by velocipete on Jul 9, 2015 6:02:50 GMT
I don't think the seller is that "cycling unaware" as their other items are mostly bike related.
That particlar frame never had lugs for the seat post,it used a collar like most modern bikes.
It is worth persevering with the stuck bits and keep your eyes out for an other frame.They are
a great bike to ride.
Best of luck with it.
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by cusqueno on Jul 9, 2015 10:27:17 GMT
Definitely worth raising with the seller first. As Pete pointed out, s/he is selling several bikes and so should be aware of possible issues. In particular, if you have any knowledge, one should never sell an old bike with stuck stem or seat pin without mentioning it in the description. Similarly with a hole! That is unless the bike is totally 'as seen' - such as a completely untouched barn find; which doesn't seem to be the case here. If the seller is not helpful, try eBay. However, the parts - Crane RD, Dura Ace FD, chain set, wheels &c put together are still good value for what you paid.
It's worth trying to free the stuck parts. I think Sheldon Brown's web site lists about twelve different methods to free stuck stems & seat pins. Ultimately it depends on how lucky &/or patient you are. Stem is ultimately curable by sawing through the stem, enabling you to remove the forks and remove the stump at your leisure. Approaching either is easier if you have access to a large, securely mounted vice in which to hold the offending part while wiggling the frame.
Good luck. It looks a nice clean bike in the pictures.
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Post by Stella on Jul 9, 2015 18:22:23 GMT
I'd agree that it's pretty deceiving to put the bike up as 'ready to ride' 'only needs new cables'. A stuck seat post and stem can be easily dealt with (I've yet to be defeated by either), but a hole in the top tube is outrageous. All of that should be put into the listing, as well as the 'unusual BB' as most people/bike shops wouldn't even know where to start ...
Re stem and seat post: try to get hold of Plus Gas, or a bike shop that has an open workshop and Plus Gas.
Seat post: Prise apart (carefully!) with a screw driver and spray a generous amount into it. Wait for five minutes and repeat. Let sit for another ten/twenty minutes, then whack the seat with a hammer. not too hard, or you'll split the frame. If the seat moves, you're winning. If it doesn't then spray some more PG into it and let sit for longer. It normally does the trick. If it still doesn't do, then it's only either the vice or, if that still doesn't help, hacksaw ...
Stem: mainly the same, PG, wiggling, etc. I'm assuming you know that you need to undo the stem bolt until it sticks out about 1cm and then whack it down with a hammer. If it doesn't come loose, then it's time for the vice treatment.
As others said, the whole can be fixed by a good frame builder and shouldn't cost too much. The parts alone have my mouth water. I got the same Pro at home, in very good condition, though. Lovely bike, so please try to persevere and get it road ready. You'll not regret it. :-) And maybe you can show it off next year on the DFR4?
Good luck.
PS. Jem, just looking at the pictures, I don't think the forks are useable. You'd be better off to get new chrome forks and have them masked and powder coated as I did with the Viscountess.
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Post by bikerestorer on Jul 13, 2015 22:11:04 GMT
Hi.
Thanks for the replies.
The chrome on the forks is not great and would need redoing. The top of the forks is quite rusty too.
The guy selling the bike is not really bike aware. He is selling quite a few, but only as he found 22 of them in the garage of a house his son bought! There's been some decent examples and I actually bought an old Raleigh of him as well. You would never have found the hole without stripping down the bike. It was hidden underneath the rear break cable on the under side of the top tube. It's not serious, but enough to put me off.
I am not too disappointed overall as I have listed a few of the parts on eBay myself and expect to be up on the deal. I've kept the Wheels and chain set for another project as well. It just seems a shame to send the frame off to the skip!
Phil
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