A Viking or not a Viking?

[chickendrumsticks]

I think it's definitely an early frame, assuming it is a Viking, not one of the NI jobbies.

 

[sjcprojects]

I keep going back and forth in age with this, but looking at this (apparently) 1954 frame:



it does share the most features - no bottle cage bosses, same cable guides including the same style on the chainstay - and also no pump pegs or shifter bosses, which later ones tended to have. It would be exciting if it was from the 50s, as that would make it the oldest frame I own.

 

[juvela]

Yes, confusingly, that is true. But the vertical spacing between the two is exactly right.

Also, with the frame number I wonder if it's a very faint letter 'L' before the numbers, which could make it one of the frames built in NI when Viking changed ownership, so after 1967. That makes more sense. I think...maybe...

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I also thought might be seeing a character there off to the left of the numerals.

Your eyes the ones on the scene.

Reassuring to think was not hallucinating.


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[bikeworkshop]

Looks like it's one of the rare
"Mirror Vikings"
Incredibly valuable

I just looked back at your head tube pic and it appears the slight offset is opposite that on the badge...?

 

[sjcprojects]

Looks like it's one of the rare
"Mirror Vikings"
Incredibly valuable

It’s got to be worth at least £3K!

 

[sjcprojects]

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I also thought might be seeing a character there off to the left of the numerals.

Your eyes the ones on the scene.

Reassuring to think was not hallucinating.

I’ll remove a bit more paint and take another look. Not that it will necessarily prove anything one way or another, mind you…

 

[chickendrumsticks]

View attachment 961638
Looks like it's one of the rare
"Mirror Vikings"
Incredibly valuable

Reverso Pic.

 

[sjcprojects]

Well, I think that could be a very faint '1' before the 0 - and from what I can tell, a 105593 serial would mean around 1961. The head badge with the same hole spacing as mine only started use in 1960, so it would have to be from after then, anyway (presuming it is a Viking).



I'll see if I can get a more definite date from the Viking FB group. This was definitely at one point someone's pride and joy, having been updated with quality parts through the years, like the more modern Cinelli bars and stem, and a Brooks Professional Select saddle (sadly with a rivet head pretty much gone, and generally looking sad, but I will try and restore it to some extent). The wheels were those pretty common (but still rather nice) Normandy high flange hubs with Rigida rims.



This will get restored at some point, but not for quite a few years, I would think. I have a soft spot for classic British bikes, and this one definitely fits the bill – in the early 60s it was the top of the Viking range, as I understand.

 

[sjcprojects]

This is now confirmed by the good people on the Viking FB group as a 1961 Severn Valley. Not bad for £25. Obviously it does need a full renovation (I'm pretty sure it's not the original paint anyway, so I wouldn't be losing anything by having it removed). Anyway, one for the future.

This is from the 1961 catalogue (showing the version with the Benelux/Simplex gear hanger, thankfully mine has a Campanolo one - which was actually an optional extra).

 

[chickendrumsticks]

This is now confirmed by the good people on the Viking FB group as a 1961 Severn Valley. Not bad for £25. Obviously it does need a full renovation (I'm pretty sure it's not the original paint anyway, so I wouldn't be losing anything by having it removed). Anyway, one for the future.

This is from the 1961 catalogue (showing the version with the Benelux/Simplex gear hanger, thankfully mine has a Campanolo one - which was actually an optional extra).


View attachment 963284

View attachment 963286

Great result! I'm still confused by the apparent anomaly around those badge holes though...