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Post by busaste on Nov 21, 2015 20:11:58 GMT
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Post by 54roadie on Nov 21, 2015 22:55:39 GMT
That's a very nice specimen, even the top tube decals are intact. Skip tooth freewheel, too. I can see why you want to keep this one OEM. Are those still the original tyres? Holy cow! How much do you ride this one?
Frank
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Post by triitout on Nov 21, 2015 23:38:37 GMT
It's wonderful to own a near NOS bicycle in the model of your dreams and the correct size. It is tough to bring yourself to actually ride it for fear of it looking used at least in my case with the Mojave GP. I'll speak for Busaste on this one Frank, yes those are the original IRC Hi Pressure tires. The little green label is their signature. These are probably the last of them, since IRC is long gone.
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Post by busaste on Nov 22, 2015 16:15:51 GMT
Yes they really are the IRC tyres! The only non OEM part on the bike is one of the bar ends - it is black when it should be red. The bike was found in a house basement clearance in Minnesota. A lady had owned it from new, barely ridden it and then sadly passed away. Fortunately she had kept the bike wrapped in sheets in her basement. When she passed away her relatives found the bike and sold it on.
I've only ridden the bike once! It felt exactly how I remember them from 1976. Sounds crazy but I just cannot ride it anymore. It's too precious to me. I've got 3 other rideable Viscounts so this one remains pretty much as it left the factory tucked away safely in my garage. When I am gone hopefully a cycling museum will give it a good home!
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Post by velocipete on Nov 22, 2015 17:06:50 GMT
Coventry museum would love it. You can "loan" it to them,so you still actually own it.
There are some fascinating bits of kit there,as might be expected from the city that
put the world on wheels!
Great you're back in circulation Steve.
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by triitout on Nov 22, 2015 19:49:45 GMT
I've basically adopted the same course of action with the Mojave GP. I've got enough rideable bikes and only one that as you say, looks like it just left the showroom, so why mess with it. It's got a total of 263 miles and it will probably see only an occasional few more. Only one change: the original handlebar tape disintegrated so on went Newbaums which appears to have the same weave, and yes the IRC tires live! I'd say we've both got some very special bikes.
Cheers,
Michael
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,389 
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Post by Jem on Nov 22, 2015 20:53:08 GMT
I am generally of the opinion that bikes are to be ridden ...but I can see there is a case for wrapping these up in cotton wool for future generations.
I have a red Aerospace Sport that Bustaste did a beauty of a BB job on. It is as smooth as butter and if push came to shove and someone made me do a TT, then that is the bike I would use, it flies, handles superbly and feels like a bike should.
The closest I have come to the experience Bustaste mentions in the original post, is when I bought an Indy 500 a couple of years back. This was my first 'proper' racer back in winter 80/81.
I used to roll out of my entry and living on a hill, knock the gear levers up to 10th and feel the rush as I went down our pretty step hill (one of the steepest in the town).
Fast forward 30 odd years and I did exactly the same (I still live on the same hill) with the newly acquired Indy 500. It felt exactly the same..exactly! It is the closest you might come to time travel and losing 30 years off your age.
I had a slight return to earth when I tried to pedal back up the hill though. My youth had deserted me and my weight reminded me that I am not 15 years old.
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bendo
Viscount
Posts: 538
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Post by bendo on Nov 23, 2015 1:58:07 GMT
I got this from Minnesota which is 1000's of miles from my home. My shipper let me down and I was left with a £300 shipping bill. BUT when all said and done I'm so glad I got it. My dream bike, a 1975 Aerospace Sport, original down to the bar tape and tyres. Only one bar end plug spoils the 100% originality. It was this bike which kicked off my love of Viscounts way back in 1976. I've been obsessed ever since! ![]() ![]()  You could re-create your own Viscount catalogue shoot with this bike. All you need now is the Lear Jet. Beautiful. Just spotted something that needs urgent fixing though. The brand labels on the tyre sidewalls are not lined-up with the valves. See to it!  b |
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robt
Viscount
Posts: 558
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Post by robt on Nov 24, 2015 22:43:19 GMT
This is mine - the Sebring my dad bought me 40 years ago. Thanks, Dad!  Untitled by RMT@261, on Flickr The bike was used and abused by my brother and me until the driveside chain stay broke about 5 years ago. I gave it up for dead, then discovered the faith this forum has in its Viscounts. I found a friendly frame builder who has repaired the chainstay  Untitled by RMT@261, on Flickr and fitted gear lever bosses;  Untitled by RMT@261, on Flickr bottle cage bosses;  Untitled by RMT@261, on Flickr and top tube cable stops.  Untitled by RMT@261, on Flickr The Sebring frame isn't made from Aerospace tubing, and I'm pretty confident that the 'Hi-Ten' steel can withstand a bit of heat, so the brazing shouldn't upset its metallurgy much. There has to be some advantage in the 900 grammes of extra weight compared to my Aerospace Sport frame! Having finally separated the fork and stem with a hacksaw  , I'm taking the frame back to have rack eyes and a brake bridge brazed onto the seat stays, then it's off to the painter for a good rub-down and new coat of Ruby Red (RAL 3003). Since it's my bike and not a dedicated restoration (purists, please forgive me), I'm also having contrasting head tube and seat tube panels in Oyster White (RAL 1013), Lambert-style. Then on with the new decals from Velocals and a few coats of lacquer and it should be back for me to share with you before Christmas. Some new parts are on my list for Santa - all suggestions welcome. Watch this space.... Rob. |
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Post by velocipete on Nov 25, 2015 7:10:39 GMT
Going to be a great bike when done.Looking forward to more pics.
Cheers,
Pete.
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Post by kickstandman on Nov 26, 2015 5:28:49 GMT
Nice bike Rob, the standover height looks a bit tall, a tall looking bike.
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Post by busaste on Dec 2, 2015 21:22:47 GMT
I got this from Minnesota which is 1000's of miles from my home. My shipper let me down and I was left with a £300 shipping bill. BUT when all said and done I'm so glad I got it. My dream bike, a 1975 Aerospace Sport, original down to the bar tape and tyres. Only one bar end plug spoils the 100% originality. It was this bike which kicked off my love of Viscounts way back in 1976. I've been obsessed ever since! ![]() ![]() Just spotted something that needs urgent fixing though. The brand labels on the tyre sidewalls are not lined-up with the valves. See to it! b Curse those assembly line gremlins!!  |
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robt
Viscount
Posts: 558
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Post by robt on Dec 3, 2015 23:39:34 GMT
Nice bike Rob, the standover height looks a bit tall, a tall looking bike. My Sebring is a 23 1/2" frame, so with 27" wheels you need an inside leg of 32" or more to ride it (or, more precisely, to dismount in comfort). The salesman at Watson Cairns in Leeds convinced my Dad that I'd grow into it. It's only taken me 40 years! |
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Post by kickstandman on Dec 4, 2015 2:35:50 GMT
Nice bike Rob, the standover height looks a bit tall, a tall looking bike. My Sebring is a 23 1/2" frame, so with 27" wheels you need an inside leg of 32" or more to ride it (or, more precisely, to dismount in comfort). The salesman at Watson Cairns in Leeds convinced my Dad that I'd grow into it. It's only taken me 40 years! 32" is manageable. Maybe 33" but above that, I might have some concerns. |
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Post by Stella on Dec 21, 2015 16:14:52 GMT
I got this from Minnesota which is 1000's of miles from my home. My shipper let me down and I was left with a £300 shipping bill. BUT when all said and done I'm so glad I got it. My dream bike, a 1975 Aerospace Sport, original down to the bar tape and tyres. Only one bar end plug spoils the 100% originality. It was this bike which kicked off my love of Viscounts way back in 1976. I've been obsessed ever since! ![]() ![]() This, my dear Busaste, is a real beauty. And I do understand the sentiments of not riding this bike. That said, I thought I'd only ever ride the GP on nice summer days ... it has become my main bike as it's really, REALLY beautiful to ride. Ehem ... :-) |
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,389
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Post by Jem on Dec 22, 2015 17:20:28 GMT
Good to see you back Stella!
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, I'm taking the frame back to have rack eyes and a brake bridge brazed onto the seat stays, then it's off to the painter for a good rub-down and new coat of Ruby Red (RAL 3003). Since it's my bike and not a dedicated restoration (purists, please forgive me), I'm also having contrasting head tube and seat tube panels in Oyster White (RAL 1013), Lambert-style. Then on with the new decals from Velocals and a few coats of lacquer and it should be back for me to share with you before Christmas. 
