Seriously, what were you thinking?

And a little rant I had recently:

Hello, Universe, do you have a minute or two? Great, because I had a shite day and I'd like to get something off my chest. If you don't mind, I'm having a w(h)ine now.
You know I'm eternally thankful that you lay the grounds for my becoming an author and editor; despite having a break from writing, I know there are still enough novels slumbering in me and they will, at some point, demand their way out. 
But, I'm wondering what warped sense of humour you must possess to have made me meet Shawn and fall head over heels for him? I mean, what the fuck? Seriously. Okay, I've loved cycling all my life and my bikes always meant the world to me, but this? Of course I'm enjoying the change from mountain bike to road bike, and I haven't looked back, but you are aware that I'm shoulder-deep in bicycle parts, tools I never knew even existed, and when I spoke about bottom brackets with a handy man today, he shook his head, saying it's going way over his head.
Personal progress aside: Do you know how frustrating it is to have three complete bikes and none of them is in perfect working order? Do you know how annoying it is to not know how to fix them yourself, even though you want to? And how much I want to scream when people, working at a bike shop, look at either a hub or bottom bracket of a 1976 Viscount, scratching their heads, saying they've never seen something like that in their life and don't know what to do with it? I've been the, admittedly proud, owner of Shawn since end of April but,  for the past two weeks, he's been sadly abandoned, because he was suffering major bottom bracket illness--one I couldn't fix since I had no idea how. In the meantime I had to acquire another Viscount since I need to get around London, you see? I also have another Viscount frame sitting in my bedroom, waiting to be brought back to life, and another frame is with a wonderful man, who's doing some CPR to it. Now this also costs a lot of money, you see? Money I don't necessarily have. But you, Universe, have a devillish merry time to make me go through all the suffering a non-experienced bike owner, now wanting to become a mech, apparently needs to go through. No need to ask you if you think it's funny; I can hear your laughter from there, wherever that is!
Up to yesterday, I was quite enjoying my new 'calling', but today, you went overboard, throwing some more obstacles in my way--for good measure, I assume--so that I not only hurt myself (the wrist's now swollen, I hope you're happy), but also question what I'm doing here, covered in grease. Thankfully, as I just learned, you only gave me a scare and I assembled the bottom bracket correctly, with the two grooves on the right side, but did you think it necessary, after two hours of hard work getting the job done, to make me give up because I only have a rubbish spanner to fit the cranks? Or was it you telling me that the work on the BB isn't done yet? Thanks a bunch. Had you made it slide in smoothly and right in place, this wouldn't have been necessary.
Yes, I'd love to be the woman, when it comes to Viscount bicycles, but can't you make it a tad easier for me? Can't you see, I'm working hard, learning fast and am trying my very best to get up to speed with all the information I can gather. Do you always have to make it so much harder for me? How about you throw a little bit of magic in my direction? That would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance. Tomorrow, I'll expect for everything to go easy. In fact, I'd like for the rest of my life to be a doddle. How's that, eh? And while you're at it, I'd like a few more grand so I can get some proper tools to get the jobs done. Don't forget one of those beautiful crank sets I'm after, okay, preferably with a bike attached to it. Just thought I'd mention it.

Chardonnay cheers,

Stella

Unbearable bearings.

I'm copying some of the 'older' posts, which I wrote in the past two months, as they are a better fit for The Viscount Affect. I'm an author, too, and probably have bored stiff some of my readers with my rambling about bicycles, hence my starting this blog.

If you have enough of my bicycle antics, then you may want to hit that little white cross on red background, there, in the upper right of your screen. Yes, this is another post about the weird and wonderful world of bicycle mechanics I'm discovering. I'm having fun, you know?
Recently, I bought a wheel, a rear wheel to be precise. Nothing exciting about that, I'd agree, but the main reason I bought it was because it has a Viscount hub. A hub that was as stiff as a grandmother's hip and could only be turned with some effort. Since I'm planning to learn the craft of wheel building, I decided it's a great purchase, for I can 'train' on it without doing too much damage. The rim needs a good clean and the spokes are rather tattered, but they've been stored--generously sprayed with GT 85--in a plastic bag over night; the nipples in vinegar. The latter are looking wonderful, the spokes need another night, this time in coke. I'm trying to save as many as I can, spokes can be expensive. I need 72 in total, which if roughly 72 pounds.
Okay, but that's just an aside. So the bike shop owner advised against buying the hub or wheel with the hub as he thought it's damaged, but I'm not one to give up easily, particularly not when it's a precious Viscount rear hub. Given that they're for a Viscount bicycle it's needless to say that they're the perfect fit. However, I knew I'd have my work cut out since the bearings were shot. I'm referring to the wonderful fight I had with the press-fit bottom bracket.
Yesterday, I decided it's time to take the wheel apart and, sitting on my sofa, tea to the left, spoke key in hand, wheel on my lap, and watching the latest Backstreet Boys video on YouTube, I dismantled the whole thing. When the hub was finally free, I went to the kitchen to try and get the axle out. Yep, that one wasn't a straightforward process but, believe it or not: I managed. And I'm dead proud about it. I mean I've never repaired a puncture in my life. All I had done in the past, is to change some brake pads or adjust the brakes.
Now I'm finding myself knee-deep in taking parts apart before putting them back together. And I love it. I feel like a kid again, when I dismantled music cassettes because they had band salad or were ripped; I fixed them and, despite of missing a tiny bit where the cello tape held the band together, I was able to play my favourite music. Just that the objects I'm working on are a little bigger and require more tools and complex thinking--mostly outside the box.

Shot bearings

Right, how did I go about it, you wonder? Well, first I took a nail and carefully drove it into the outer rubber rings to access the bearing. Did that on both sides, including the metal ring that keeps them in place. Sprayed quite a bit of GT 85 into them and waited for a bit. I then unscrewed the nuts. That done, I put a big, round metal washer on one side, on top a large nut and an inch long tube-ring I found at the hardware store, then screwed on another nut--but not completely--to not damage the end of the axle. Next thing was to grab a hammer and hit it a few times on the nut. The axle, with one bearing attached to it, came out. Deja vu! Now I needed to unscrew the nuts and let the axle slide out.

A deja vu and a rusty hub shell

After a long sigh of relief, I tried to figure out how to get the other bearing out. It sat super tight, which is a good thing; a wobble would've meant the hub's damaged beyond repair, but it gave me a tiny headache. I don't have the right tools to pull off stuck bearings. Not that it would hold me back to find a solution. Troubleshooting is one of my most favourite activities, after all. I rummaged in my toolbox and grabbed a something which looks like a flat-head screwdriver with a parting in the middle (I think it's a nail puller). I tried to pry the bearing out first, but that didn't work too well; I broke one part of the end of the tool. Grrr.
Then I tried to get to the bearing from inside (from the other side of the hub) by sticking a screw driver through it and gently tap it out. No success. Okay, I had hit my hand and really wanted this damn thing out!

Beautiful, but not quite there yet.

Last idea was to replace the screw driver with the broken nail puller tool. It got stuck in the bearing, which was what I aimed for. Now I only needed something I can rest the hub on, but wide enough so the bearing would be able to drop out. Good thing I had some electrical tape lying around. A few heftier taps with the hammer and the bearing was out!

Interestingly, like on the bottom bracket, the non-driving side (left) was corroded. I take it it's because the side is more exposed to the elements. The chain ring and sprockets may act as some sort of barrier to some extent. Nevertheless, I celebrated with a KitKat Cookies and Cream and a mug of tea.

Apparently, a wonder grease.

Today, I used some fine sand paper, with a few drops of water, to get rid of the corrosion. My guess is that the hubs haven't been serviced and it's probably freed for the very first time in 40 years. Not bad, I'd say. I have new bearings here: FAG 6000 2RS and some TF2 grease to put everything back together.
It came right in time, as I can't wait to put Shawn's BB back together and ride him again. I will need to clean the crankset and pedals, too. And I think at the weekend, I'll give my first wheel a go. It means the evenings spent with YouTube videos on 3-cross-method of wheel building. Unfortunately, I wasn't as lucky getting the other bearing off the axle; for the lack of a bearing puller, I used a hammer (I know it's wrong and am paying the price for my impatience), and have somehow ruined the threading at both ends. I'll have to find a someone who can 'restore' them as I'd like to keep the axle. Apart from that I'm pretty happy about the outcome.

Added: It seems my method of 'gently sanding the rust away' was a mistake. Someone very knowledgeable warned off to not do it, but it was too late, the damage was already done. I've just put the bearings back in. A little bit of grease and a few gentle taps and they were in. It's not supposed to be that easy. Guess this is a case of trial and error. An upsetting error at that.

Guess the tool

And another older post:

Do you know what this is? Let me give you a hint: you need it for a bicycle. Those of you who have a bit of experience will recognise this important tool: it's a crank puller. I had to learn there's no servicing a bottom bracket without it. Speaking of which: I could write a short story about my experience getting this bugger out of the frame. It would also make for good comedy value for a screen play. Seriously. Just picture blonde me, armed with a bucket full of tools: spanners of different sizes, a hammer, multi-grip pliers, a few screws (loose), something that resembles a bolt to put IKEA furniture together, and last, but not least my trusted can of GT 85.
Off I went downstairs in the back garden to get some serious bottom bracket removal done. I had a cunning plan, but had no idea if I could do it. First, I needed that damn stuck piece of bolt out of the spindle. Not an easy task, but I wasn't ready to be defeated just yet, so I made a loop out of thin wire and tried to put it around it. The plan was to tie it up nicely to be able to unscrew the bit. Didn't work. Hmm. I scratched my head for a minute and decided I may as well just get the spindle out for easier drilling the bit out upstairs later.
Right, decisively, I rolled up my non-existing sleeves, grabbed another bolt which I screwed into the other end of the spindle, a hex nut and rubber washer underneath, then braced the frame against my legs, took a deep breath and whacked it a few times.
There, the spindle, still with one bearing attached came out. I let go of a tiny squeal, undid the hex nut and bolt, and pulled the spindle out. With a long tool that had a larger, flat-ish surface on one side, I pushed the other bearing out.

Spindle with one bearing attached

A well and truly shot bearing

Not only good for furnitur

Time for some 'Yes! Victory'-pose and a deep sigh before examining the bottom bracket shell and the spindle a bit closer. The spindle was badly corroded, but I had hopes that a night in vinegar would perhaps sort this out. But there was still that broken bit inside, and it bugged me that I failed to get it out. Think, Stella, think outside the box, I told myself and grabbed that odd piece to put furniture together, put it over the broken bolt and carefully turned it. It moved! I couldn't believe my luck. With unknown patience I continued to screw until it fell out! Success. Now that was reason to validate a dance. And I did. In the back garden, on my own, not even caring if one of my neighbours might watch. It was a moment of pride. All I had to do now was to clean the BB shell and put Shawn away. Since one bearing was still sitting on the spindle, there was nothing else to do than wait.

The new spindle

I went upstairs to share the good news of the spindle being saved, only to learn that it was shot--the corrosion was too heavy and it would have been too dangerous to put it back, even if I had been able to get the bearing off. Steve, a lovely man and Viscount expert has kindly sent me a new one, and I noticed it has three grooves, which means I may be a bit more flexible with the crank set, particularly as he knows that I'm so in love with the Aerospace Pro ones. If you don't know how they look, google Viscount Aerospace Pro chainring (or just click this link) and be prepared to fall in love; it's a real thing of beauty. Steve has been a life saver in many aspects; he's provided me with so much advice, shared his knowledge about those incredible bikes; he's even working on a little project that is another frame which will be repaired and powder-coated in ruby red, fitted with a new bottom bracket and bearing so I'll have a proper restoration project. On top of it, he's going to mirror polish a Viscont hub he's giving me, and another hub I'm going to send him. I mean if I restore a Viscount Aerospace Sport, I need to do it properly, right? And those hubs, as everything Viscount-related, is something special: it has sealed bearings, on top of looking really pretty. See for yourself:

Found it at the bike jumble

As you can see, I'm pretty busy learning about a whole new world out there. My 36-hole alloy rims have arrived, too, and tomorrow, the tyres will be delivered. It's all a bit in stages; I'm sourcing, collecting, inquiring, and comparing a lot, and trust me, this hobby is a money pit, but I'm absolutely looking forward to ride both bikes. In the meantime I'm getting around on the Viscount Sprint, which is a pretty comfortable bike, too. I may even have a buyer for it, so once Shawn is ready for the road again, I'll sell the Sprint. Need the space, there are two more frames waiting to be brought back to life. :-)

Shedload of bikes

I thought this title would be rather suitable as my collection of Viscounts seems to grow by the day. Yesterday, I was on my first ever bike jumble, mainly to pick up a frame I sort of got through ebay, in addition to a Viscount hub, which I hoped I'd be lucky to find, too. Needless to say that I didn't come home with only those two items. Nope. I also bought a rather nice Brooks Professional saddle in black, down tube Shimamo gear shifters, really gorgeous vintage Lyotard pedals, a Shimano front derailleur, another no-name hub, two inner tubes and a can of GT 85, because I'm running low on mine.

The combined finds

So after plenty of chats and a big smile on my face, I brought my finds home, just to receive a phone call from my trusted bike shop and learn terrible news: the bolt for the crank has broken, and that inside the bottom bracket! I had brought the bike to them to see if they can manage (gently) to get the spindle and bearings out, so it can all be cleaned and replaced, but they chickened out. Rightly so, because I'm an overprotective girl who loves her bike, and I'm also very fond of this very special press-fit bottom bracket. The guys were worried that they'd fuck it up and I'd come with my boxing gloves ... (just kidding); they were, however, concerned and passed on the job, for if they'd make a mistake, it would have been irreversible. Yes, that's how sensitive this BB issue is. Kudos to them, that they've been so honest to admit defeat. Nevertheless, when screwing back on the left crank, the bolt went 'crack' and now I'm trying to think of a solution to get this damn broken bit out of the spindle. It looks like I have to drill a tiny hole into it, then carefully pull it out. Watch this space; operation Save The Spindle is underway.

Broken bolt in Viscount spindle

When I got that call I was close to crying. I mean, this bike means a lot to me: it's my very racer and I wanted one since I was a kid. Plus it's a special one: A Viscount Aerospace Sport, super lightweight and super fast (I overtake people even when I'm not pedalling). Not being able to ride did upset me. A lot. And because I hate being without a functioning bike, I went to the Shoreditch Market-- where I bought my MTB five years ago--determined to get myself a new (new as in factory new) racer to cycle on while I'm bringing Shawn to back to life. Unfortunately I didn't like the new Fixies and moved on to the neighbouring vendor, just to stumble over a red racer, old, with a very familiar brand on it. Yep, got myself a Viscount Sprint, even with original Viscount Saddle. The Sprint was the 'low end' of the Viscount bikes, the entry level of racing if you will, but with a beautifully lugged frame. It's a little on the heavy side, but still, riding it back home was a bliss. Although it was strange to ride without the safety suicide levers as I tend to rest my hands on the top middle of the handlebar, so the vintage brake levers were always a nice and quick solution in case of a 'slight emergency'. Of course I managed just fine without them.
This means I have now two Viscount bicycles and the MTB (have someone interested in the latter) in the shed and the Tony Doyle (probably also a former sprint ) frame in the bedroom. I've decided to ride the Sprint until Shawn is back with me on the road, then make the it pretty and sell it to someone who'll care for the bike as much as I do. Likewise with the Tony Doyle as they're too large for me with their 24 inches (60cm).
But here's a photo of the newest member of the family, and the frame is in quite a good nick, too; it needs a proper cleaning, though, parts and all.

Viscount Sprint 80s