Late 70's Viking Severn Valley Cycle?

[Illaveago]

I found an early catalogue with the Severn Valley in which stated that the Severn Valley's were stamped with a letter V prefix. The " V" series.
Here is my frame number which includes both V and Q. The Q being made from a 0 over stamped by a 1.

 

[Coast]

Thanks .
It does seem to match what I have got . I was beginning to wonder if it wasn't a Severn Valley as the old catalogues refer to a different style of bike . A touring bike with a longer wheelbase with mudguards . Mine has a short wheelbase of 39 inches and without mudguard mounting eyelets .

The SV started life as the 2nd in line in the catalogue hierarchy. The Tour of Britain model being the premium Viking bike of the early 1950’s. Around 1955 Viking discontinued the ToB and the SV became the top of the line bike. They changed the plainer lugs used on the earlier SV to the Nervex lugs that had been used on the ToB.

It was a full on race bike and went on to have many successful victories with riders such as Ian Steel and Brian Haskell. The bike was available with or without mudguard eyelets. As one bike did all, many had the eyelets so they could fit mudguards when training in inclement weather.

I’ve acquired a late 50’s SV frame - trying to establish exact date but I think it’s 1957 or 1958. Serial number is V1198. Interestingly it has 119 stamped on the BB shell and on the fork steerer column.

Your bike I believe is pretty much unchanged from the early Wolverhampton built bikes. Changes to lugs, BB shell and dropouts, rear brake bridge and braze ons for shifter levers and cables. I think geometry and it being built throughout from Reynolds double butted 531 tubing is in keeping with the original bike.

 

[Illaveago]

The SV started life as the 2nd in line in the catalogue hierarchy. The Tour of Britain model being the premium Viking bike of the early 1950’s. Around 1955 Viking discontinued the ToB and the SV became the top of the line bike. They changed the plainer lugs used on the earlier SV to the Nervex lugs that had been used on the ToB.

It was a full on race bike and went on to have many successful victories with riders such as Ian Steel and Brian Haskell. The bike was available with or without mudguard eyelets. As one bike did all, many had the eyelets so they could fit mudguards when training in inclement weather.

I’ve acquired a late 50’s SV frame - trying to establish exact date but I think it’s 1957 or 1958. Serial number is V1198. Interestingly it has 119 stamped on the BB shell and on the fork steerer column.

Your bike I believe is pretty much unchanged from the early Wolverhampton built bikes. Changes to lugs, BB shell and dropouts, rear brake bridge and braze ons for shifter levers and cables. I think geometry and it being built throughout from Reynolds double butted 531 tubing is in keeping with the original bike.

It's nice to hear of another Viking owner . There doesn't seem to be many around .
I think I can remember seeing a leaflet for one in our only cycle shop back in the 60's. I think it might have been about the time just prior to their closure .
Being young at the time I didn't know much about different makes of bikes . I had a Sun Mist my brother had a Carlton . The most common makes of bikes at school were Raleigh, Sun and Falcon. I can't remember anything else apart from my friend's BSA.
There doesn't appear to be much information about Viking cycles on the net . There is some info on their early history up to the time of their closure but not much from then on . I have read about the company being taken over by 2 Americans and starting up again in Northern Ireland . I have also read that a relative of Ernie Clements was also involved with Viking at some point .
My bike was a chance discovery and I am now glad that I bought it . It feels really light and nimble and I like the Campag components .

 

[Coast]

It's nice to hear of another Viking owner . There doesn't seem to be many around .
I think I can remember seeing a leaflet for one in our only cycle shop back in the 60's. I think it might have been about the time just prior to their closure .
Being young at the time I didn't know much about different makes of bikes . I had a Sun Mist my brother had a Carlton . The most common makes of bikes at school were Raleigh, Sun and Falcon. I can't remember anything else apart from my friend's BSA.
There doesn't appear to be much information about Viking cycles on the net . There is some info on their early history up to the time of their closure but not much from then on . I have read about the company being taken over by 2 Americans and starting up again in Northern Ireland . I have also read that a relative of Ernie Clements was also involved with Viking at some point .
My bike was a chance discovery and I am now glad that I bought it . It feels really light and nimble and I like the Campag components .

Very similar story for me. It was all Raleigh and Carlton when I was younger and I’ve collected some of those models that I wished for when I was young over the last ten years. It was reading about Sid Barras that got my attention in cycling as a sport and then the Raleigh Ti team.
Viking were a force to be reckoned with in the 50’s and early 60’s. Their Tour of Britain and Severn Valley being the most sought after models. Well made and using some of the best European components of the time to finish the bikes. I like the rarity factor too. Not seen one yet at any of the vintage rides I’ve been too. Looking forward to getting mine restored over the next few months.

 

[Illaveago]

Very similar story for me. It was all Raleigh and Carlton when I was younger and I’ve collected some of those models that I wished for when I was young over the last ten years. It was reading about Sid Barras that got my attention in cycling as a sport and then the Raleigh Ti team.
Viking were a force to be reckoned with in the 50’s and early 60’s. Their Tour of Britain and Severn Valley being the most sought after models. Well made and using some of the best European components of the time to finish the bikes. I like the rarity factor too. Not seen one yet at any of the vintage rides I’ve been too. Looking forward to getting mine restored over the next few months.

It would be nice to see another one . I'm feeling a bit lonely !

 

[Coast]

 

[Illaveago]

View attachment 654812

That looks nice . I like the colour .

 

[midlife]

Very smart

maybe a bit before my time as I think the original Severn Valley came out in 1949

http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/Transport/bicycles/VikingSV.jpg

 

[Illaveago]

Very smart

maybe a bit before my time as I think the original Severn Valley came out in 1949

http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/Transport/bicycles/VikingSV.jpg

Makes you a bit envious doesn't it !

 

[Coast]

Very smart

maybe a bit before my time as I think the original Severn Valley came out in 1949

http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/Transport/bicycles/VikingSV.jpg

Yes. I think this is a 1957 or 1958 model. Still investigating but the serial number suggests it’s late 50’s.

 

[Illaveago]

I have fitted the Campagnolo brake levers and leather bar tape that I bought on the bay. The old tape was looking very tatty and the Weinmann brake levers weren't very good at stopping . The new tape looks better and the braking has improved.

 

[Stevemwilliams]

Fabulous post. I have a late version c1979 Viking Severn Valley (as well as a few other earlier Vikings). It's great to see another one. Unfortunately, mine was powder coated by the original owner, so not original finish and logos. It's interesting to see the differences. Mine has serial number L5918. "L" prefix, I assume, for Londonderry. I assume yours is a very early version made by Harry Quinn with his distinctive Q serial number VQ5007Q. Hence I assume the main sequence ran from VQ or L prefix with sequence 5001 to 5999. It is awaiting rebuild and is pretty much currently in the condition I purchased it. Mine has what appear to be the Agrati long-line window lugs and a slim curved seat stay top.

 

[Illaveago]

Fabulous post. I have a late version c1979 Viking Severn Valley (as well as a few other earlier Vikings). It's great to see another one. Unfortunately, mine was powder coated by the original owner, so not original finish and logos. It's interesting to see the differences. Mine has serial number L5918. "L" prefix, I assume, for Londonderry. I assume yours is a very early version made by Harry Quinn with his distinctive Q serial number VQ5007Q. Hence I assume the main sequence ran from VQ or L prefix with sequence 5001 to 5999. It is awaiting rebuild and is pretty much currently in the condition I purchased it. Mine has what appear to be the Agrati long-line window lugs and a slim curved seat stay top.

It's nice to see another Viking and to hear from a proud owner .

 

[Illaveago]

Fabulous post. I have a late version c1979 Viking Severn Valley (as well as a few other earlier Vikings). It's great to see another one. Unfortunately, mine was powder coated by the original owner, so not original finish and logos. It's interesting to see the differences. Mine has serial number L5918. "L" prefix, I assume, for Londonderry. I assume yours is a very early version made by Harry Quinn with his distinctive Q serial number VQ5007Q. Hence I assume the main sequence ran from VQ or L prefix with sequence 5001 to 5999. It is awaiting rebuild and is pretty much currently in the condition I purchased it. Mine has what appear to be the Agrati long-line window lugs and a slim curved seat stay top.

I like your lugs and I prefer the way that the top of your seat stays blend into the seat tube .
I also have a 1962/3 Conquest and a slightly later frame of the same model . The early model has V logos on the bolts .

 

[Stevemwilliams]

Its great to see the focus on Viking bikes.
Just had a look at the Conquest you have restored. It's fabulous. What is the serial number?
The Derry Severn Valley needs more sensitive use of age-appropriate parts. It's pretty much as I picked it up a couple of years ago. It's on the priority list of projects.
I am currently building up a 1955 Severn Valley frame that was repainted some years ago.
I also have a restored Ian Steel.
If you are interested, I also look after the Classic Viking Cycles www.classicvikingcycles.uk website. It has a good range of catalogues and price lists. I also look after the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/viking.classic.cycles. You are welcome to join us if you are on FB.