Giving it some serious love

For the past few months I've been really busy, with work taking over my life, leaving hardly any time to work on any of my bikes. A clean was just about what I'd managed and I've decided there's no way I can carry on like this, neglecting my planned projects.
Therefore, I'm changing some work arrangements and with it, will be able to free up some time to finally convert my living room into a workshop again (or use a proper one!).
Anyhow, since winter's sneaking up on us, I thought it's possibly easier to commute on a SS/fixie. Yes, yes, throw nuts and bolts at me, but I always said I'd like to convert one of my Viscounts to a fixed gear for my own development as a mechanic.

The Indy has always been my favourite bike to do this and that's what I'm going to start with next week. Unfortunately, I can't make up my mind regarding colour. Originally, I'd envisioned to not do anything to the frame, keep it as rusty as it is so it could be locked outside without attracting thieves, but I can't bring myself to do this. It's a Viscount, after all, and they deserve love and respect. You probably remember that I'd also considered to get the frame sand blasted, primed, and lacquered, showing it naked, welding and all. Could work, don't you think? Or, since I'm going to use the mudguards that came with the Victor (red and silver) I may even play with those colours a bit. Seriously, I have no idea yet. All I know is that it'll be an upright riding position and will have a flip flop hub, in case I struggle to go fixed.
Whatever the outcome, I'm pretty sure it'll look awesome.
And I'll keep you updated, of course.

Viscounts' healing properties

Maybe you saw me today, but more likely not; I was out and about on my red flash. Nothing fancy this time, just a few lapse in Regent's Park's outer circle. Whenever I need to clear my head, or just switch off, I will take out one of my bikes and just go for a ride. Any excuse to show off the bikes, right?

My current work horses.

Nevertheless, I've taken leave this week and did a bit of (long overdue) cleaning jobs on the red flash and the Viscountess. My plan to build up either the Lambert or Indy 500 didn't come to fruition as I desperately needed to relax instead of putting myself under even more strains. Don't get me wrong, I love working on my bikes and it always calms me down, but I wanted to make the most of the wonderful weather, feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, the wind in my hair, and the rhythmic movements of my legs when pedalling.

On Wednesday, I went along the towpath to the Limehouse, a route I always enjoy, without failure, and I hardly met another soul--perfect for just diving into your own little world, mulling things over, while enjoying the landscape. Experiencing it on a trusted Viscount was, of course, the best of all. I know I'm repeating myself, but those bikes are just so comfortable to ride, and I feel like we're basically becoming one. In addition to this, I see people doing a double take whenever I show up with one of my bikes, even the rather battered looking blue Sport gets some admiring looks. I can't wait to get this done up next year to reveal it's real beauty.

So with the now repaired and shiny again red flash, I went to Camden and once I got into the zone, I just let go of anything that bothered me; instead I kept a steady pace and enjoyed the effect it had on me. For the entire two hours I could feel the smile stretching over my face ... wonderful! Whenever I looked down and saw the wheels turning, the smile grew wider: nothing beats a mirror polished hub in the sun, the sound of tyres on the road, the chain running smoothly over the cogs--the whole bike is a dream to ride.

Yep, still going strong! The bike!

I arrived home feeling a lot better and happier. If you asked me, riding one of those bikes should be available on prescription. ;-)

A crash and a month later

Yep, I did it again. It seems I'm prone to yearly self-inflicted crashes. Last year it was on my Viscount Sprint, cycling straight into a bollard and fracturing my hand; on a Friday mid August this year my hand-eye coordination failed and, instead of gripping my handlebar, my fingers grasped into the void and off I came. No fractures, just a big bump on the side of my head and a shock. Got lucky, I'd say.
See, who needs cars or other road users? I'm perfectly fine to injure myself without anyone else.
Anyway, after a day's recovery on the sofa, and lending the red flash, the bike that miraculously survived the incident, to a friend, who then had an accident on a motorcycle the Sunday after mine, wasn't to be seen for a whole month. I cannot stress enough how much I missed that bike. Seriously, if one of my Viscounts isn't where it belongs--in reach and safe--I get agitated. A lot! Particularly this one means a lot to me as it's a frame Steve prepared for me, and is my very first self-built bike, including the wheels. Not to mention the costs. And its parts are basically nicked from Shawn, who was my first Viscount and the beginning of a beautiful love.
Okay, I'm aware that I'm sounding a bit a lot like a crazy person. If you've been visiting regularly and wondered if I'd lost interest in Viscounts because I haven't posted in a two months or so: let me tell you, there's nothing that could put me off those bikes. Absolutely nothing! I rode the blue one and the Viscountess to work and, every time I see another one on the roads, I'll chase that owner up. Or, if an unsuspecting customer walks with one into the shop ... well, take a blind guess. Something which happened just this week. I swear the poor guy didn't know what hit him when I marched out of the workshop, eyes literally popping out of my head with excitement while I bombarded him with facts about his ride. Afterwards he quietly said, 'I'm feeling unworthy of this bike, maybe it's better you have it.'
'Yes,' I wanted to say, 'give it to me!' On the other hand, I thought this would be immensely rude, even though he'd been given the Aerospace through freecycle. Of course it would have been gone to a good home, no arguing that. Ah well. I hope after the information I've fed him, he'll take good care of his newly obtained choice of transport.
Speaking of looking after your bike: my red flash came back to me in a bit of state; for as long as I'd had it, I'd never left it exposed to the elements. My poor boy had been sitting in a garden since August and I can't say I'm too happy about it. In addition to that, he was suffering with a bent front caliper and brake hanger, and an out-of-whack rear wheel.

That not how a brake hanger should look like

Spot the left caliper

No idea what happened, but it looks like he's been squashed with/into something. I doubt it was because of the fall, as the caliper doesn't show any scratches/damage, as you can see in the picture above. There are, however, two deep scratches at the down tube, just behind the shifters (not caused by them!). As you can imagine, I wasn't too amused.
But I did what I had to do: fix it. Went to Micycle to use their workshop and hammer/bend the brake hanger back to almost normal, bend the caliper, true the wheel, give it a good once-over and clean before taking it for a spin to Dalston in order to meet my friend Ben from Bikebox to say hi.

I'm all over in love again!

Those two were rather sweet, taking photos of my bike.

On my way home I stopped at Clissold Park to show off my shiny bike and, while taking pictures, two boys (you can see them walking away in the second picture) were admiring my red flash, asking if I'm selling it. No, sorry, mate, not gonna happen.

Quite amusing, really.

Lambert head badge

I'm keeping an eye on eBay to see what's happening in the Viscount & Lambert world and, every so often, I see listings with the addition 'quite the following', or 'huge fan base', which makes me snigger. Our 'club' of Viscount owners and enthusiasts currently has 38 members--okay a few have admitted to just lurk and not signing up (yes, Andy, I'm talking about you, mate; join up already to share your stories!) but even if you add, say ten more people, then we're still a small bunch of Viscount nerds with an appreciation of those great bicycles. I think it's because although cycling is becoming more popular now, it's mainly amongst cyclists from late teens to mid thirties; all of whom are too young to remember Lamberts or Viscounts which were only produced between 1971 and 1983. As a result people don't recognise the name and rather go for a Peugeot or Raleigh or anything else their mates ride, or they've seen on the roads. I'm a bit of an exception as I'm not English or American, and the company didn't particularly market to Germany, so when I stumbled over Shawn last year it was pure fate. Not that I'd remember any popular German bike names, I hasten to add, despite my life-long wish of owning a racer, I never paid attention.
I could imagine that those looking for a second hand bike, finding Viscounts or Lamberts, do some research, read about the death fork, which seems off-putting enough, but if that doesn't do the trick then it's probably that unique bottom bracket that will make potential buyers pass on the bikes.
Yes, those bikes will only speak to a certain kind of person:

• Up for a real challenge
• Determined
• Willing to learn and that fast
• Patient
• Perfectionist
• Proud to stand out

If you're the type of person who listens to a bike shop telling you to scrap the old bike you've just bought for 125 (or more) pounds, because they haven't got a clue how to deal with that bottom bracket, or think that the time and effort of freeing the seized seat post is a waste, then you're better off to buy something more standard. If you combine more or less all the six points made above, you're a good candidate to become the next Viscount lover.

People always ask me what's so special about them and the only thing I can offer is to hand them one of my bikes and let them ride it. But, to be honest, a short spin around the block won't give you an insight; you'd need to ride it for at least 30 minutes to an hour to really appreciate the smoothness of the bb, the lightness of the frame, the way the bike feels. To me, it's magic.

The most recent member to join our forum started out with a Sprint, and has recently picked up a G.P, which was one of the high-end bikes Viscount made, and he said the same: you can't really explain what's special about riding Viscounts or Lamberts; you need to ride them and will, inevitably, fall in love. 

Covered in dust

The Viscountess and me, that is. I've taken her on another ride along the River Lea and Regent's Canal again. To be honest, I simply can't help it. There's nothing--really nothing--that compares riding a bike you put together yourself; you know exactly what the bike can withstand and, trust me, I'm not mollycoddling any of my bikes. They're there to be ridden, full stop. So my bikes have to go over bumps and down kerbs--okay, the latter with a bit more care on those single-walled alloy rims--let alone the many potholes you encounter in London. 

My pink girl has done me proud so far. And not only that: she's flying! After a day's break from her, I actually was glad to have her under my arse as she's a rather comfortable ride--as all Viscounts are: super tight rear triangle, but relaxed at the front. Perhaps one reason I love them so much. I don't enjoy having my head lower than my backside, but then I'm not road racing; I quite like to look left and right, take in the landscape I'm riding through. Deep inside me lurks a tourer, I'm sure of it. And I will start doing that at some point. Either on my own or with someone else. I can see myself easily covering quite a few miles, merrily pedalling away in the sunshine, or even in the winter if it's like last year. 

This peddler's perspective

Possibly sleeping in youth hostels, occasionally in B&Bs, which makes for a lighter load. Yep, I think I'd like that a lot. Exploring the UK via bike? How exciting is that? 

Anyway, for the time being, I'll have to make do with my day trips and they're rather nice, too, but see for yourself:

You wouldn't think it's in the middle of London, would you?

River Lea

Regent's Canal lock, just outside Victoria Park