Rust dissolver and elbow grease

I've been working on an off on the Indy 500, stripping it completely, cleaning the parts, in order to re-use some of them and keep the rest for other projects. The seat post was stuck, but with my trusted rust dissolver, it wasn't that hard to get it out.
The bottom bracket (fixed-cup),too, was seized up and rusty, but looked worse than it was. A few drops of Plus Gas and seconds later, I could easily unscrew it. I don't think the bike has been serviced in a long while; the grease came out in bits. Pretty disgusting and I found a cockroach shell in the BB shell. Cringe-worthy!
My main concern now is the handlebar stem, which refuses to come unstuck. I put in Plus Gas and tried moving it--to no avail. I then gave it a few smacks on the stem bolt--still no movement. Bugger! Should I really? I thought. Yes, I decided. So I put the fork into the vice and put all my weight (not a little!) on it, and it finally made the desired sound: a low-pitched creaking. Yes! I was on the road to success. That was when I saw I'd bent the fork. No problem, though, steel can be bend back into shape, which I did. As always: reverse the action that bent it in the first place. Sorted. I didn't pay attention--my fault. If you do the fork-in-vice approach, you need to put the forks as close as possible to the crown as it's the stiffest there. Obviously. Silly me. Well, at least the stem's moving, which is a good sign. I couldn't finish the job as the guys in the shop needed the room and, frankly, it's a two-man-job or, as in my case, a one-woman/one-man. But we'll get there. I'll not be defeated by a handlebar stem! After quickly consulting with Noah, from Mamachari, I think I'm in with a good chance to get the stem out with no damage to fork, stem, or wedge. The small range of movement suggests that the stem was still screwed in too far.
Maybe I should apply this scary look of mine. The guys at Micyle seem to think I can make tools break in fear of me--just by looking at them. Not sure I'd agree with that. I could try, though, if only to make that stem quiver, which would probably be enough to set it free.
This story will be continued ...

A more detailed look at the Indy 500

I've taken more pictures of all the details on the bike. Just looking at the Simplex derailleur makes me want to keep it and not convert to a fixie. I'm really not sure. If you asked me: I think the modern derailleurs are just functional, whereas the old ones from the 70s/80s were also quite the lookers.
However, the bike needs a complete change of cables (inner and outer). I feel safer that way; have seen too many cases of 'snapped cables' in the shop. The last thing I want, when going down a hill, is something causing me having to brake hard and the cable gives. I'm literally having nightmares about that.
The seat post was a tiny bit difficult to move, but after a treatment with a Plus Gas equivalent, it's now moving. Getting it out, however, will be a tad hard.
So, here are the pictures of the whole bike. Did I mention that I like a challenge?

A new addition to my collection

I did it again! Despite my best intentions not to get another bike--trust me, being Viscount crazy doesn't come cheap--I couldn't resist the one I saw on eBay today. I mean it was 47 or best offer. I got it for 35 and got to travel to the roots of many beautiful Viscounts: Potters Bar. Although most fillet brazed frames were build in Bilston factory, the lugged frames mainly came from Potters Bar. So, I thought it's rather apt to get a bike which had returned to its birthplace. I'll post more detailled pictures tomorrow.

Look at those killer lights!

It's got to be a Viscount

It's in a really beautiful light blue. What I didn't see is that it is in quite a state, but since I was looking for a pub bike, something I can just ride around from A to B, to go shopping or visit the museum, without having to worry it's gone when I return to the bike, this one seems to be perfect. It's got quite a bit of rust, but it shouldn't be a problem. From a mechanic's point of view the bike doesn't need much to be made fit for its purpose: the bottom bracket needs a bit of greasing, but doesn't have any play, which is always a good sign. I'll also re-grease the sealed bearing hubs and see if they come back to life; if not I'll just replace the bearings. And I'll build new wheels with old alloy rims. Interestingly, the hubs aren't branded which, I assume, may mean they're Viscount's unbranded version, but I haven't cleaned them properly, perhaps it'll reveal something new.
The Weinmann centre pull brakes are in good condition and work well; they're even sharp on the current steel rims.
Something one can't possibly tell from a picture is that the chain is worn beyond 1%, which means I need to bin the freewheel, too. Not too sure about the chain ring, but it looks like it had better days. And since the handlebar is pretty rusty, I think the best would be to make this bike a fixie. I'll fit the Sprint's rear carrier to it and flat handlebars. It'll be a solid work horse and a perfect addition to my Viscount stable. It's also a good opportunity to improve on my mechanical skills. Since I've never converted a bike, it'll be interesting to see how I get on with it.
Gee, should I really have a fixie soon? Well, I'll refrain from colourful rims and all that trendy stuff; it's a Viscount after all. :-)

I kit you not!

... but a fellow Viscount enthusiast does. Not only has he a stunning Aerospace GP, no, he also has designed two Viscount jerseys to wear when going on a ride. I'm most certainly going to get both of them, but I'm particularly, and very deeply, in love with the red one. It's my favourite colour and I assume I'd make quite the entrance with that jersey and my beautiful red Sport. Did I mention that red is my favourite colour?

 

Anyway, I think he did a terrific job by keeping the design simple and letting the logos speak for themselves. I once asked what those designers were smoking when they came up with them, for the odd combination of letters, albeit beautiful and very, very affective. (Yes! affective!) Admittedly, also effective. I think the marketing people in the 70s were exceptionally good with their slogans, too. Having worked as a copywriter, I know how hard it can be to come up with the right one and I love all of them.
I mean, look at this one, for instance. Genius! In a time when Weight Watchers became popular. Or how about this innuendo? I absolutely love it.
Anyhow, back to the jerseys, I'm wondering if wearing them makes me a better, fitter, and faster rider. Would they make me fly up this hill, for instance? I know, it doesn't look like much, does it? I huffed and puffed in the lowest gear, but I made it! I tell you, me and my Viscount are the team.

In general, it's interesting how much my stamina's improving in general. Since I have this new one, I'm braving longer distances and the hill. Just before Christmas, I remember trying this particular one, and it was too much for me. I didn't even get half-way up, and it's not a super long incline either. Same with the hills in Hampstead Heath: I went up a few hills and, despite it being really hard, I didn't give up. I remember last year, when I wanted to meet my friend in Hampstead Heath, and I just about managed to get to Archway Station. Uh, did I give up. Not saying that I'm getting up there effortlessly now, but I never give up anymore.
Same in Finsbury Park. It's less steep than this little hill in the above picture, but it's a long, and steady, incline. See this picture:



I did it for the first time completely, yesterday, and almost fell off my bike from exhaustion. Proud, nevertheless. Just after Christmas, I went for a ride with a friend, and while he went up the hills in no time, I was far behind (pretty annoying to be honest). I can't believe how much I've improved in just a month. He'll be well impressed when we go for the next ride.