my other rat ridea.Any ideas on this one?

[megtilly1]

Got given this last year and just stuck a few bits on it had lying around. It's my transport ofor choice when I visit my mum's in Wales.I was told it was possibly a 70s-80s Viking.Any ideas?

 

[I like Skol]

Without doubt it needs a front brake. I suggest you don't ride it until it has one!

 

[biggs682]

as @I like Skol says a front brake

other than that it looks good

 

[megtilly1]

why is it a big thing with having to have a front brake.aren't front brakes more dangerous as they like to send you flying over the bars.

 

[midlife]

Two reasons, front brake helps with braking and perhaps the biggie one is that it's a legal requirement to have one.....

 

[roadrash]

why is it a big thing with having to have a front brake.aren't front brakes more dangerous as they like to send you flying over the bars.

 

[FishFright]

why is it a big thing with having to have a front brake.aren't front brakes more dangerous as they like to send you flying over the bars.

No but they are much, much more likely to stop you than the rear brake.

 

[mikeymustard]

There was a quite well-publicised recent trial where not having a front brake was a decisive factor in the prosecution's case? You may have heard of it? https://www.theguardian.com/lifeand...jailed-for-18-months-over-death-of-pedestrian

 

[I like Skol]

why is it a big thing with having to have a front brake.

The front brake does most of the work and is the most effective when you need to stop quickly. Without one you risk hurting yourself, or even worse, somebody else!

 

[megtilly1]

its probably me going back to my bmx days when you only used your front to do front hops or front endo,s as we called it then.but more often than not you would end up over the bars.

 

[megtilly1]

anyways any idea on make of bike and age?

 

[nonowt]

I hint my teens during the BMX racing boom and remember front brakes were sometimes removed to save weight - so I know where you're coming from. But on a road bike I find the front brake offers more control and stopping power.

Back on topic: from the forks crown and pump peg I'd say mid 80s? Possibly 501 tubing. If you flick the top tube with your fingernail and it 'rings' it could be 3 tube 531. If it sounds dull it's probably just hi-ten steel. Is there a frame number ? It could be any of the big brands from the time from the lugs.

 

[megtilly1]

Thanks for that and braking advice,will get a flicking when I'm Wales next time.Where will the frame numbers be?

 

[megtilly1]

I did the flick test on my other single speed and the frame rings but forks don't.