I would also highly reccomend Roger Musson's book; https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php
I learnt to build wheels using it and also built the stand and tools he provides plans for. It is extremely clear and logically laid out. His spoke length calculator works well too.
I am...
What kind of bike is it to be? All weather tourer? Or sunny days best roadie?
If the latter I would definitely go for a semi-internal routing, not total through the headset nonsense, but just enough to clean up the lines. If it's going to get wet/muddy regularly then stick to external...
Fantastic machine, with such great provenance! They still look like the future after all these years. Mektronic is such a cool bit of late 90s cyber-futuristic design.
Do you have any photos of you riding it?
I hope you had a good jumble! Might even have spoken with you, although it's mostly road gear I was hunting for. There is so much to see I find as a punter you really have to 'get in the zone' to spot decent bits/bargains, otherwise you can just be overwhelmed by how much stuff there is!
I got...
Excellent information @Obi-Juan - thanks for sharing with us! I do some vinyl/stencil work on my restorations as well as professionally, but I had never come across the UV DTF process. Great to bear in mind for the future.
Interested in various models for a couple of builds;
The R 970 SL (or the EQ version) in white or fluro yellow;
The R 950SL in white
The T 925 in red (other colours considered)!
Let me know if you have any, thanks! 😊
The braking is pretty reasonable, new pads are obviously fitted (although I recall they are pretty inexpensive Clarks).
Cables are new with slick stainless inners so minimal resistance which helps. Not the snappiest brakes I have in my collection of bikes but capable enough stoppers for any...
Here's my Viscount Aerospace Grand Sport, 1979 I think.
My stripdown/repaint/rebuild thead here; https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/viscount-aerospace-but-which-one.487726/
Having spent a good portion of my tinkering time since the new year on my Viscount Grand Sport I can safely say this is the 'lightweight' fillet brazed Aerospace frameset that Viscount dressed up with various levels of kit to create different models in their Aerospace range (they did make many...
Ok, all done and some half decent photos taken - enjoy.
Here it is as recieved last winter!
and now!
The spec:
Frame & Fork: Viscount Aerospace (1978/79)
Headset: Generic/unbranded
Stem: SR
Handlebar: SR Road Champion
Griptape: Velox Guidoline
Brakes: Shimano Tourney...
The huge bit of bolt sticking out of the binder clamp was bothering me so I took it out and cut 8mm off...
Before
After 👍
Bottle cage clamps, I made these thin rubber bits to stop them shifting/chewing up the paint.
Cage on.
Now all parts are finally done I just need to check the...
Glad you appreciate it! I was tempted to go for a minty metallic green but very happy with the cream. It really makes me think of 70s cars and it creates a nice ground for the red details and leather colours.
The bikes you mention are all in real a sweet spot for almost all the good things modern bikes have to offer without headset cable routing nonsense, press fit BBs everywhere etc. You just miss out on disc brakes and the option to fit wider tyres for more comfort.
Here is my much upgraded...