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Post by sciabola13 on Jul 10, 2015 11:58:45 GMT
Greetings, I am new to cycling, I wanted to get a bike to start riding with my wife who has ridden for many years. I think the vintage road bikes are super cool so I was keeping my budget conscious eyes open for something, and came across this beauty in our local bike co-op. This is after I cleaned a sizeable amount of grime off her, adjusted the gears and brakes a bunch, and have done a few short test rides. My goal is to get her cleaned up and functioning as a daily rider. Any info, tips, model ID you guys can provide is much appreciated! |
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Post by sciabola13 on Jul 10, 2015 11:59:38 GMT
Good ole' iphone. I don't actually ride the bike upsides down. I know that much about cycles at least.  |
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Post by cusqueno on Jul 10, 2015 12:58:05 GMT
Hi. Viewing your post, my lap top automatically turned the pictures right way up. How does that happen?
Your bike looks like quite an early (c.1975?) Aerospace Sport. 'Aerospace' means it is a fillet-brazed frame (no lugs at the joints) made from a chromium-molybdenum steel tubing similar to Reynolds 501 but made by an English company called Phoenix. The tubing is parallel (not butted) but is quite thin hence the frame is light. Sport was the second from top of the range, the top being the Pro. The Pro usually came with tubular tyres (sew-up tires),rather than the clinchers I think yours has, but was otherwise very similar. The colour scheme (one of my favourites) and the use of lugs for the seat tube clamp (later models had a separate clamping ring) suggest an early date to me. The front forks look like the steel Tange forks issued by Yamaha when the alloy 'Death Forks' were recalled.
It looks as though your bike has the Viscount-made cranks and chain wheel with the round 'port holes' that, are typical early Viscount and very nice (IMHO). You have probably discovered the cartridge bearing bottom bracket and, if the wheel hubs are Viscount, they have cartridge bearings too. What derailleurs do you have? I would expect the rear one to be a Shimano Crane - which was the first generation Dura Ace - but it might have been replaced.
Welcome to the forum. Viscounts are great fun and ride well, even compared to modern bikes many times the cost of a good Viscount.
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Post by triitout on Jul 10, 2015 13:19:08 GMT
I don't know if you're in the states or England, but I must disagree with cusqueno on the model. Unless the UK had it branded differently, that's a Aerospace GP. They came in blue/white or red/white. I've got that same model and it's in my profile picture. Look through the photo section for "Mojave GP" and you'll find a match. As cusqueno said correctly, they were second from the top behind the Pro models. Almost always came with a Shimano Titlist rear and Thunderbird derailleur in the front. Welcome aboard!
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Post by Stella on Jul 10, 2015 14:51:10 GMT
Hi, and welcome.
I'd have to agree with Triitout, it's definitely a Viscount G.P. (Grand Prix). I should know as I have the very same frame. Michael, the red and white one could also be a Lambert. I think they actually are rebranded Lamberts. I've got the red and white one, exactly the same as my G.P. Beautifully hand-painted 'lugs', with gold outlining. Viscounts, eh?
Much unlike the Pros, where the black or blue seatpost section is actually a sticker (I learned with much surprise!) Lamberts and G.P.s were hand painted. I can't imagine they been powder coated as the lines aren't as sharp.
Year of the G.P. I'd think 1972/1973?
Steve?
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,389 
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Post by Jem on Jul 10, 2015 14:52:00 GMT
Based on the flora and fauna , I am placing you somewhere in England..?
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Post by sciabola13 on Jul 10, 2015 17:21:21 GMT
Thanks for all the great info! I live in Durham, but not England. Durham, North Carolina USA. lol Here are some close ups of the gears and derailleurs. I think the bike runs quite well for its age. I am working through the different systems one at a time getting her into riding shape. Downtube shifters were a bit weird for me at first, but really starting to like them now. Really need a different saddle though. My plan is to try and keep it as original as I can, while getting her running as smoothly as possibly. I plan to ride it on a very regular basis. Thanks! Jeff Attachments:
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Post by cusqueno on Jul 10, 2015 20:14:50 GMT
Would agree a GP Is possible / probable. I was trying to keep it simple ...
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Post by cusqueno on Jul 10, 2015 20:20:44 GMT
PS. If you check the 600 RD you should find a two letter date code somewhere - usually on the cage. A = 1976. B = 1977 &c. Second letter is month A=January &mc.
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