I fell in love with Viscount bikes when I was at college in the late 1970s. A friend had a red Viscount Aerospace Sport with fillet brazed frame. It seemed beyond cool. At the time I had an ancient and nameless British lightweight with a pull chain rear derailleur and a suicide lever front derailleur. When I could afford it, in 1981, I went to buy a bike like my friend's but found that Viscount had discontinued the fillet brazed frames, so I bought a blue Viscount Aerospace 400. This had a nicely lugged 'Aerospace' frame. It cost about two hundred pounds, which was quite a lot then but I guess less than a traditional high quality lightweight. I still have this bike although the frame has cracked across the bottom bracket and I have used the components on other bikes. This picture shows the 400 in its original glory.
I worked in the Lambert / Trusty cycle factory in Bilston England . I was there from opening until it closed and moved to Potters Barr . My uncle Jack Robinson , was the first frame shop supervisor and my other uncle Earnie Sargent was Forman . I was employed on the welding line , hand brazing the frames . I still have a lot of the original stick on decals .
ReplyDeleteVery happy memories , Martyn Sargent.
Hi Martyn. Great to learn of your recollections of Bilston days. have you seen the online Viscount bikes forum. There's a link in this blog somewhere, but for convenience, here it is again: https://viscountandlambert.boards.net/
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of Viscount enthusiasts that use the site, in the UK and the US, with a couple in Australia. We try to have a Viscount Rally somewhere in England the summer. We missed a couple due to coronavirus but are starting to organise one for this year. In the past, a couple of ex-employees have joined us and it would be great to see you if you were able to make it.
Best wishes. John
Early recollections often bring back vivid memories of simpler times, whether it's a favorite hobby, a cherished moment, or discovering something new. Similarly, finding the Best UK Online Vape Store can evoke that same sense of satisfaction and ease, offering reliable access to quality products. Just as our early memories shape our preferences and values, a dependable vape store ensures a positive experience, blending nostalgia with modern convenience. Both highlight the importance of trust and enjoyment in shaping our personal journeys.
ReplyDelete