Finally! I can change my bikes with my outfit.

The original picture on e-Bay

What a girlie thing to say, eh? And it's an overstatement, too. All I'm trying to announce is that I've finally been able to ride the blue Viscount Aerospace Sport, and damn it's a fine ride. I've also learned that 22" is the perfect size for me (I'm 1.72m); it feels comfortable and ... well, just right. Unfortunately it took a little longer than planned; I noticed that I had high hopes to ride on it two weeks back, but it was impossible since the wheels needed some serious work, meaning the tension needed to be released and basically go back to square one. Lucky me, since I'm working in a bike shop (voluntarily in exchange of

Yep, that's me, adjusting the brakes

getting my bikes fixed under supervision and learning heaps along the way), and Noah has a tendency to do things perfect, so the 40-year-old wheels are now round and true, have new tubes and tires (fitted by me), and are dutifully carrying me around London.
We replaced all cables (the outer ones are temporary as I'm replacing them with white ones), front and rear brake pads and adjusted/bent the derailleurs back in place. Admittedly, I threw a temper tantrum because I couldn't set the front brakes--even with the third hand tool, I struggled and Noah had to take over. I did it wrongly, but that won't happen again. It's  not rocket science, just showing my lack of experience. Funny enough, I can service most of his bikes almost by myself, but struggle with an old centre pull brake. It doesn't have a quick  release Shawn has, which confused me. Now I know how to do it, and next time will be a doddle.
I then added (and tore! How the heck did I manage that?) the white handle bar tape with blue finish and the result looks smashing.

The bike's now road safe

On Saturday, I'll be taking part in the Prudential ride, mainly to enjoy the lovely weather, cycle through London without cars, and I'll also meet up with another Viscount enthusiast as he's heard my slightly desperate call for some Sakae/SR dust caps for Shawn's and the blue bike's cranks. I'll be taking along the blue beauty to show the people of London what they're missing out by not riding a Viscount. I don't know, every single Viscount I've been riding (it's only been three since April) has been smooth and wonderful. To me they're the perfect bike and I love the fact that there aren't many around London--at least I hardly see anyone riding on one. All I see is Peugeot or Raleigh and you know what? It's makes me proud to be different!

Seat post (un)stuck!

Unfortunately also going to bike heaven. For the past few days, I've been carefully wiggling the seat post in Shawn's tube to pour some Plus Gas into it. The seat post was heavily stuck and didn't want to move one bit, the bugger. Luckily, Noah has plenty of experiences with stubborn seat posts and has given me a hand. I rode to his shop without tightening the pin, hoping that it would give way under my weight. It didn't. But I had faith in Noah's abilities and knowledge.

When I took off the seat, it became apparent that someone with no experience--or patience--really had butchered the seat post. Since it's alloy it's prone to scratch and deform easily if you use brute force. And  that's what had happened. It was torn in two places; I was riding around, unaware that it could break any moment. Scary thought, that.

Torn in two places!

 Noah cut the top off with a hacksaw, then put a socket inside to make it stronger. Then off into the vice and turning back and forth. That was the easiest part. I turned and Noah slowly pulled it up. A few minutes of doing so and voila, the seat post was freed.

Finally free!

Rusty ol' seat post (and my dirty hand)

In pieces to get access.

The Plus Gas had worked its magic, and I was more than relieved. It was time to inspect the tubing as I'd discovered a crack in it. I was hoping it was only the paint, but unfortunately, the crack is in the tube, too. It appears that it's not terribly dangerous, but I'll probably get it sorted at some point. For gentle urban riding it's okay, but I wouldn't go on longer trips with the bike.
Because I knew the seat post was for the bin, I've nicked the one of the blue Viscount Aerospace Sport. It's the same make and it fit neatly. I can't tell you how nice it is to cycle with straight knees, rather than hitting your chin while pedaling. People kept reciprocating my big smile on my way back.
Tomorrow, I'll put on the Brooks Professional saddle I bought on the bike jumble--better give it another rub with olive oil. Next are the wheels that need to be build. I have everything here, just need to kick my arse into gear to sit down and do it.

It's just a wheel, or is it? Part 1

27" 1 1/4 wheels on LF Viscount hubs

I'm making slow progress on the blue bike, but have a good feeling that I'll be riding it this coming weekend. As you know I've cleaned it up and stored the frame for the time being while I'm taking care of the wheels. I took them off to give them a good once-over, replace the bearings, and clean the hubs and rims before truing them and putting new rim tape and tyres on. I'm still undecided if I'm going to change the tubes, as I'm not a waster. May put in new ones and keep the old for emergencies when on a ride. Better safe than sorry, eh? The old tyres were knackered--amber walls honey-coloured and brittle--they'll go to bicycle heaven.

New bearings 6000RS

However, I'm glad to have the bearings out and, using Noah's very handy vice, I was able to repair the minor damaged I had made to the threads since I had to hammer the axle in and out, and then in and out again. It's the only way to get the bearings out if you don't have a puller tool. And I've learned from last time's mistake and kept the nut on.
At least it's all sorted now, and I've spent two wonderful evenings amusing myself cleaning up the wheels and hubs, intoxicated by the fumes of GT 85 and cheap furniture polish. I can't be arsed to buy alloy polish, to be honest. The bike is old; I'm not going to get it repainted, so I'm fine with the bike being as clean as it gets. Let it show its history and age. It's fine. The only thing I want to be done is to get the fork rechromed as it's chipping badly. That's two forks I have to take care of.
I've then sat down and tightened the spokes which were rather loose. Will take the wheels to the lbs

Nail polish came in handy

tomorrow and see what damage I've done. Tightening spokes isn't truing, and since I've no idea what I'm doing, I may have done everything wrong. At least none of the spokes broke, that's good news, right?

No name, but pretty.

Regarding tyres: I've got some no-name ones I'd like to give a go. They aren't Schwalbe or Panaracer, but they were cheap and cheerful. Hopefully no punctures will take the cheer off the 'ful'. Sorry for the bad joke; it's hot, you see?
The bike will get new bar tape and a new saddle, oh, and it needs the brake and gear cables replaced, but I'm sure I can sort this out before this weekend.
Then I'll urgently return to Shawn's stuck seat post. I'm praying (not literally) for the Plus Gas to do the magic and it'll come out without any further resistance. Then I'll have to pester Graham from the Vintage Bike Cave to find me one of his Birmalux alloy seat posts so I can start riding Shawn, too. It's summer, after all. And I'd like to be prepared with at least one working bike for the Prudential Ride in August.
Fingers crossed!

Dating a Viscount

The new Viscount frame

I know for sure that I'm dreaming about stuck hub bearings, bottom bracket replacements and cold-welded seat posts. Since I've started with the whole Viscount business, I've learned that when it comes to those wonderful bikes, nothing really is straight forward. It can be a tad frustrating but, on the other hand, I think that this trait makes them so special. Viscounts bicycles have their quirks; they are stubborn, resistant, and sometimes I even think they have a sense of humour. My Shawn refuses to hand over his seat post, as if he won't give up without a fight. Well, tough, my dear bike, I have Plus Gas and access to a vice; you may lose the battle here. A normal person would probably be put off Viscounts after encountering that many problems and difficulties after buying their first one--I believe Shawn's former owner did exactly that and threw him on a scrapyard--but I'm not normal, or better: on the verge of having lost my marbles, because instead I went to acquire some more. How's that for crazy?
You probably remember that I was gifted a Bilston-factory made Aerospace Sport frame in need of CPR; it's now arrived in London, freshly powder coated in Ruby Red, complete with newly fitted bottom bracket and surprise decals on it. On my way to pick it up, my heart was beating  a little faster, as if I were going on a blind date. Just that I knew what I was in for.

Olympic alloy pedals

John, who's recently been to the first ever Death Fork Rally, was kind enough to bring the frame (and other goodies) back to London, and I was rather excited to see his collection of bikes, particularly the golden Lambert. Yes, it's real-gold! And it's beautiful! So are his other Viscount bikes. He's got at least seven, I think, and has been a Viscount fan since the 80s. Gee, I'm such a rookie, but a rookie with now some more components, as John had a few things spare, he's given me. (Thank you both, Steve and John. It's much appreciated.) Anyway, if you'd like to see how a pack of Viscounts/Lamberts look like, take a look at these and those from the Death Fork Rally. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it this year, but next year, I'll definitely join--on the bike that's currently a frame only.

Port hole chain ring

The donor, Steve, the man I refer to as Mr. Viscount, an expert in all things Viscount and Lambert, has given me a pair of NOS (new old stock) cranks and my beloved port hole chain ring. The plan with that restoration project is to use only NOS or components that are in very good condition, plus I'll build the wheels myself. It's going to be red/white and I've given myself to 2014's rally.
In the meantime, I've got two other bikes to get road ready: Shawn, with his stuck seat post and the blue one. Re the seat post: I've removed the bolt and wiggled the seat a bit, then poured Plus Gas into the gap. Will repeat this for a few days and keep my fingers crossed. Then I'll bring him to Noah, who's offered me to help me get this seat post out. He's got a vice and plenty of
experiences with stuck seat posts, saying he's never been defeated. I hope this is not going to be the first time.Once that's done, I only need to build the new wheels, get a new seat post, change the cables, and everything should be fine.
The blue one isn't in bad shape either. I've taken the wheels off to change the bearings and for truing, and cleaned the whole bike to see what lies underneath the dust and dirt, and rust. I probably just replace the cables and the hubs' bearings. Oh, and have the fork rechromed. 
For now, it's the fight with the bearings. I needed to get the freewheel off, but it's an old Shimano skiptooth freewheel, so the standard tool won't fit. The diametre of the freewheel, where the tool slides in, is smaller than the standard ones. So where to get such a tool from? I thought if any shop has something like this lying around it's probably Vintage Bike Cave. Graham's been around for for what feels like decades and has stocked his cave from floor to ceiling with old bicycle parts. I love that place!

Shimao 'skiptooth' freewheel

Together we removed the freewheel and the axle, which, on retrospect, was silly on my part, because now I can't get the bearings out. One bearing being stuck is easy, but when both are stuck it's tricky. Guess I need to get myself a bearing puller. Or, perhaps knock the axle back in and out on the other side, which normally will result in the bearing being stuck on the axle. Will have to think about it. I'll keep you posted on this one, too.

Huh? It's blue?

I was looking for a blue Viscount with fillet brazed frame so I can make it pretty and give to my friend. When I saw this bicycle on eBay, I couldn't resist. It also looked as if it was small enough for her. She felt that Shawn's borderline for her, and he's only 21", so I couldn't go larger.

After waiting at the window, glued to spot, all day, it finally arrived at 6pm. I flew down the stairs, eager to get it out of the cardboard and bubble wrap to see what I've bought. What I couldn't see in the small picture on eBay was that the bike came with all (bar a few) original features:

22" Aerospace sport frame (which, unfortunately, makes it too big for my friend)
Handlebar
Bar stem (with V pin!)
Brakes unnamed (Weinmann?)
Viscount front and rear centre pull brakes
Birmalux seat post
Birmalux wheels on QR Viscount hubs (quite stiff, the front)
Chrome fork (needs re-chroming)
Shimano Shifters
Shimano Tourney GS RD
Shimano 50 FD
Shorties (very rusty mudguards)
Maxi crank set, I think. And some heavy, deformed and rusty steel pedals (looks like Lyotard) which I'll probably discard.

I'll give the bike a good clean tomorrow, then inspect the hubs and and wheels, but I think with a little bit of TLC and new bearings, it can be a smashing bike.

Here are the pictures, which I'll just upload without any further comment. But: I've got my work cut out for me with this.