Friday 27 April 2012

1976 Viscount Cycles Complete Dealer Manual

Like many of you I am sure, I follow eBay and Craigslist keenly, hoping to find that elusive part or a good Viscount or Lambert bike at a bargain price (and not on the far side of the Atlantic).  But I do not want this blog to become just a place where the latest bargains (??) are posted; not least because they quickly become out of date.  However, I have to make an exception for eBay item number: 230781749334, 1976 Viscount Cycles Complete Dealer Manual.

This looks to be a fascinating document, beyond my means unfortunately, but including such gems as an explanation of how the end float in the needle bearing pedals can be taken up by fitting shims.  Some of the pages have dates in 1975 and it is clear that Yamaha was the US dealer, the manufacturer continuing to be Trusty Manufacturing.

29 comments:

  1. found recently in my shed a viscount cycle which i brought about 30 years ago id long forgotten about . it has those death forks and looks to be in original as sold condition . is it possible to trace the history by the serial number ? .

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  2. John your wish for an ebay bargain may soon be answered. I have a Viscount Aerospace Pro + Shimano weighing in at 11kg, it needs new tubs and some TLC but it’s basically a sound bike. I bought it about 25 years ago for £40 and have used it on about ten occasions in all that time. My garage is now in need of a clear out so I have decided to advertise it on ebay but am a little unsure of its value. Dollar prices on ebay are surprisingly high; much much higher than I was expecting, so what I need is some impartial advice on what would be a sensible price to open the bidding.

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  3. My Viscount Aerospace Pro is now on ebay if you're interested - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Viscount-Aerospace-Pro-Racing-Bike-/320915172699?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4ab808ed5b

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  4. Hi there,

    I recently came across a rebranded Viscount frame which I do not want and am looking to part with. I just want the 45£ I bought it for rather than looking to make money.

    If you are interested please email me and let me know - rakanx at gmail

    Based in London...

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  5. hi john
    i own ian hallams 1982 team viscount/shimano in excellent original condition along with his kp crisps team sweater pics coming soon to flickr
    uk paul

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    Replies
    1. Dear Anonymous did you once work as KP Crisps/Viscount team soigneur at The Potters Bar-Cranbourne Rd. Factory!

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  6. Hi there John - Great blog!
    Have you seen the Viscount manual on ebay at the moment that's in the US?
    It has 328 pages! Very expensive to get posted to UK even if it were a reasonable price.
    I asked the seller if he would be willing to either scan and send or just take snaps with his mobile phone- he didn't dismiss the idea but said it could be January by the time he could do that as he was just moving house and busy with work.
    I'll let you know the outcome and share with you, if it works out.
    Cheers

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  7. Hey.. nice to read your blog..
    I still have my Viscount Aerospace, metallic red...(similar to the one on ebay a few postings back)..

    Bought it as my first real bike in 1978 or so..
    BB is still original and ok.. replaced gears with suntour, wheels are mavic with campagnolo axles..
    Anyone interested in buying it?

    Hans, Netherlands

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    Replies
    1. Hi Hans,
      What frame size is it?
      I might be interested
      Regards

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  8. I have a Viscount Aerospace Sport bike. owned since new and all original except saddle ( which I have somewhere). Good condition except a few scratches. I am thinking of changing the forks (original aluminium forks). I would also consider selling it.

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  9. Have just listed a 1975 Viscount Aerospace 400 restoration project on Ebay if anyone's interested!

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  10. I live in Orange County, Calif and have one of these bikes in very good condition. Got it Bach in 1976 up at Talbots Toys and Bikes in San Mateo CA ( that shop is still there). I still have the brochures, warranty certificate and the sales slip!

    Interested? Email me at rsmken@ gmail.com

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  11. I used to work at Trusty Viscount Cycles from 1979 to it's closure in 1983 & have many tales to tell, i shall be in touch!

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  12. Anthony Collett-Monty24 June 2014 at 09:22

    Where can i publish my Trusty Viscount picures & text i have 1000s rsvp

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  13. Please contact me (Monty) my e-mail no is: montaguemontgomery2000@yahoo.co.uk

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  14. anthony collett8 May 2015 at 15:31

    I used to work at Trusty's from 1979 to 1983 & I have a Viscount/Chick frame as used by Tony Doyle rsvp

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  15. Please contact me on ray13spurs@gmail.com interested in your experiences of life at Viscounr.

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    Replies
    1. I have a Trusty Viscount team frame as ridden by Tony Doyle rsvp

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  16. As an ex-employee of Trusty Viscount i have many notes that i'd like published, is there anyone interested in writng a 'Trusty Viscount' book!

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  17. hi i have recently acquired a lamberth viscount aerospace 400 which had stood in a family garage for over 20 years it is as i am to believe still all original and has a sticker on it supplied by master class cycles hereford i sed it for approx 6 months to commute 16 miles a day to work i obviously changed the inner tube and tires as they were beyond use as they had split i only stopped using it when the spokes in the rear wheel became come lose its still rolls on its original milremo wheels and to be honest rode better than my other 2 bikes just thought it was just another old bike and not worth repairing until i have seen this blog please whats it worth as it seems a shame to be just left in my conservatory on the stand

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  18. Here is one on I guess the wrong side of the Atlantic.

    http://www.auctionsinaday.co.uk/cycles-and-frames/#comment-116757

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  20. Im currently renovating a Lambert Grand Prix, it’s looking like a pre-production version from what I have found on the internet and is fitted with the original version 1 alloy fork and fragile B.B. the frame is currently in Bob Jackson’s for painting and I was staggerw when they showed me another Lambert they had just finished for another customer........you don’t see one for years then two come at once. Are there any like minded Lambert owners active wishing to share stories? We could set up a Facebook group or something if there is an appetite for it.......I’m on napreston@hotmail.co.uk if anyone is interested

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  21. Does anyone know the whereabouts of Mr Clifford Wilkins who used to be a welder at the Potters Bar factory. I am Mr Anthony Collett of 72 The Fairway Southgate London N14 4NU RSVP

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  22. Hi.Glad to have found this blog. I am commenting on this post as it is the most recent, have just picked up a Viscount sold from the back of an old warehouse being cleared in Essex, along with a Hercules Commuter and a Meteor. I will be using the information on this useful blog to renovate the Viscount .... beginning with the magnet test for the Death Forks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi. Glad you’ve found my blog useful and that you have a Viscount! I haven’t posted anything on the blog for a long time but if you want more information there is a useful forum here https://viscountandlambert.boards.net/

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    2. My original 1976 Viscount is getting picked up in Fredericksburg today after restoral. Rode it in Kansas, Texas, Maine, Okinawa, Germany,Belgium,France,England,Colorado until derauler went into spokes resulting in 3 catapults..carried the parts through Idaho, New Jersey and 17 ys in Virginia. Four kids grew up on the back. Now 9 grandkids can ride Dillond@infintech.com

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  23. I've just bought a circa 1976 Gran Sports for £50, which had been converted into a Tracker with wide cowhorn bars and an ancient Dunlop sprung saddle! But everything else seems to be original!

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