Identifying Viking frame

[pubrunner]

I have acquired an old Viking frame - I'd love to know the age (approx.) and the model.

The rear dropouts are spaced at 115mm.
It is built with Reynolds 531 Butted tubing
It has a sticker "Supplied by The Lightweight Shop Ipswich"
Has anyone of heard of The Lightweight Shop in Ipswich - during what years was it open ?
There is a serial number on the near side rear dropout 5 84 R
I'd be very pleased to know any information that anyone can provide.
Thank you !

 

[peanut]

I'd have said it was probably from the late 50's early 60's .
The rake of the forks and abscence of rear gear hanger boss is pretty indicative plus the lamp boss on the forks .
The coloured bands on the seat tube is your best bet for dating as it is likely that this frame was a special or commemorative edition of some world champoinship race .
Clean up a bit of the band and see what colours they are and google
Nice frameset should look gorgeous restored with chrome and purple mmmmm

mmm could be a decade earlier .

Just found this potted history of Viking using Google
http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/bicycles/Viking.htm

 

[Norm]

I've a Viking with a frame which looks very similar to that, even down to the lamp boss, which I bought new in 1979 when I was 15. I don't have any pix at the moment, nor many details but the frame was gold (which goes rather well with rust).

Love that page on the history of Vikings, p'nut.

 

[peanut]

I've a Viking with a frame which looks very similar to that, even down to the lamp boss, which I bought new in 1979 when I was 15. I don't have any pix at the moment, nor many details but the frame was gold (which goes rather well with rust).

Love that page on the history of Vikings, p'nut.

it would be a useful link for our classic bike thread/sub section wouldn't it.
Lets see a piccy of your Viking then

 

[Norm]

Lets see a piccy of your Viking then

[stands to attention and salutes smartly] Sir, Yes Sir! [/stands to attention and salutes smartly]

I'll try to get some up later.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

I'd have said it was probably from the late 50's early 60's .
The rake of the forks…

indeed. this bike is from '62 and has a similar rake angle…

possibly the paint jobs are a clue also, the style of the stripes on the seat tube.

 

[peanut]

[stands to attention and salutes smartly] Sir, Yes Sir! [/stands to attention and salutes smartly]

I'll try to get some up later.

rite den ....................staaan by yor beds ...movit movit

 

[peanut]

thats lovely, wraparound seatstays and nice lugwork. Always brings tears to my eyes when i see those stems

Must be quite quick as it has a pretty close clearance at the back.

If you want an original period centrepull brake caliper I could probably rustle one up from my bitsnbobs box.

At a guess I'd say that was a trackmaster frame

indeed. this bike is from '62 and has a similar rake angle…

possibly the paint jobs are a clue also, the style of the stripes on the seat tube.

 

[Norm]

Lets see a piccy of your Viking then

Your wish...




Did I mention the rust?

 

[peanut]

oh my gosh if that isn't a stuck seatpost my name isn't dry roasted
thats very original. Love the 'patina' (rust) good to see an unmolested example still being used

I must start looking for a classic bike before they are all restored .

thanks for the pictures, we really should start a thread for classic bike pictures

 

[Norm]

oh my gosh if that isn't a stuck seatpost my name isn't dry roasted

Well, how should we refer to you because that post is as free as a free thing.

The copper colouring around the top of the frame is from squirty (yeah, I know) anti-seize which I applied only last week.

 

[peanut]

Well, how should we refer to you because that post is as free as a free thing.

The copper colouring around the top of the frame is from squirty (yeah, I know) anti-seize which I applied only last week.

glad to hear it

 

[pubrunner]

I've been told by a very knowledgeable guy, that my Viking could be a very early Severn Valley or more likely a Viking SS model. He is certain that it is is pre-1953.

Does anyone know anything about the Viking Master Series SS model ? (Please no sarky comments about the model name).

 

[peanut]

I've been told by a very knowledgeable guy, that my Viking could be a very early Severn Valley or more likely a Viking SS model. He is certain that it is is pre-1953.

Does anyone know anything about the Viking Master Series SS model ? (Please no sarky comments about the model name).

have you read the Viking history that I gave you a link to ? ?????jeez


SS is referred to in the history , It has specially cut lugs with 531 tubeset as I understood it.

if you let us have some closeup pictures of the BB and seat lug and drop outs and decal banding we might stand half a chance of identifying it

 

[peanut]

heres another link I found by using google.

http://classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/Viking/Viking.htm

you might be able to identify your frame from these examples