The Viscount line of bikes were originally sold under the Lambert name, starting in 1972. The British firm went out on a limb; rather than buying all the various pieces from the normal sub-suppliers, they made or had made for them, parts of their own design and markings. The resulting line of bikes were as light as bikes costing $1,000 or more, but they sold for under $500. They became insolvent in 1975, thereafter became "Viscount" cycles, which in turn became heavily invested by the Yamaha Motorcycle Co.
They featured an internally lugged and brazed frame made of aerospace grade chrome-moly steel; and only weighed 3.75 lbs. The hubs and bottom bracket used off-the-shelf sealed bearings instead of the usual ball bearing and races used by other bikes; the benefit claimed being low maintenance. The front sprokets, crank and pedals were also made by Viscount or it's suppliers, and the pedals featured what seems like hundreds of needle bearings instead of ball bearings (ask me how I know....) The center pull brakes, seat post, handlebar post, handlebars, and brake levers were all made by Viscount, rather by the usual sub-suppliers. The front and rear derailers and rear sprockets were off-the-shelf items.
Unfortunately, it was the Viscount made parts that caused the most problems. In particular, the aluminum front forks earned the nickname "death forks" for their tendency to break. While the previous owner succeeded in breaking them; I never had that problem. However, when Yamaha took over the company in 1978, they sent all of the owners a replacement steel fork. I recieved mine, and installed it as well to be on the safe side. The crank axle and other parts were also prone to failure; although many folks including myself had years of trouble free service out of them.
The tubular tires were too fragile for city use; I had two or three flats in short order; which required tedious unsewing, patching, sewing back up, and glueing back on the rim. So, I replaced the rims with 700C rims that take heavier tires and tubes. With the steel front fork and "clincher" tires, the weight rose to 25 lbs; it was still a relatively light street bike. (The Schwinn Varsity I had before it weighed something like 42 lbs.) The "mountain" brake shoes I bought for my previous bike, a frame mounted air pump, and a Cannondale water bottle which was wrapped in velcro which held it onto a velcro cradle were the other items I added to it.
I probably put thousands of miles on that bike. A friend of mine lived across town, I would ride my bike to visit him, and we would walk together to where ever we wanted to go. I took with me on vacation, and rode it to school, college, and work. I also enjoyed just riding around town, listening to my newfangled Walkman (remember those?) I also rode a couple of 20-30 mile rides, and finally, my ulimate, a century; or hundred mile ride. (I also rode across town to where the ride began and back; with lunch stops and breaks, it took twelve hours.)
I think I rode it briefly when I moved to Beaumont in 1990, but a flat tire caused me to put it up for good. I then dutifully dragged it from one house to the other; but never riding it. The low point was when we moved after Hurricane Rita; I left it leaning against the wall in the back yard, but when my son-in-law gave the boys our dog; he proceeded to knock it over and to chew away the seat, rear tire, and toe clips. The foam handlebar covers began rotting off; and rust appeared here and there.
Still I moved it to our current residence, and placed it in the shed. I fixed up a bicycle for my oldest son, and Saturday, I fixed a bike my son-in-law was riding till he pulled the rear wheel out of alignment. With my health taking a turn for the better, I decided to pull it out, and fix it up.
Two new tires and tubes, a new saddle, new toe clips, and new foam handlebar grips cost nearly half what that bike cost me back in 1977; but then again, they had a new street bike on display for $3900! The sealed bearings in the crank were seized, and the wheel hubs were rolling rough; I poured Lucas oil treatment into all three, and they seem to be rolling fine now. I am not comfortable enough on it to replace the toe clips (which strap your feet to the pedals, and allow you to pull up as well as push down), and haven't taken the time to put the new grips on yet; but I cleaned it up, and it is rideable. I forgot how much air pressure those tiny tires need - 105 PSI.
Although it is properely set up for my inseam, it is a very tall bike, with the handlebars slightly lower than the seat in correct racing/touring manner. It also has a short wheelbase, as racing bikes do; so it is very "twitchy." So, I was a little nervious riding it again after nearly twenty years of being away from it. But our first ride went fine; we also took our bikes to the fireworks display at the lake, where my first downhill run reminded me how fun this bike could be; as I must have done 40+ miles per hour on some downhill runs while on vacation back in my past.
You can find anything on the internet, I believe; and here is a broucher that promoted the bike when it first came out. Notice how they tied it with aerospace engineering. These bikes never were very popular, but apparently there are still a few of them out there still in use; and loved and appreciated by their current owners; and wanted by those who used to own one. Now, it's motor needs some major tuning up.
To show how much things change; while everything was strap-on in the 1970s (to keep from weakening the frame tubes); there are now brazed on bits and eyelets to hold everything in place. The velcro Cannondale water bottle passed out of style, and the brake shoes are obsolete. But all the parts I needed to do a "working restoration" were still available.
Now, how to acquire new tires, I am not so sure.
