Identifying this 1950s Viking

[straightpullspoke3]

I shall delve into my archives and see if I can find out which model it was.
This may take me a while .

Thank you! I am thinking maybe it is some sort of transition between the Severn Valley of 1951 used in that years ToB and the frames that would eventually be branded Tour of Britains in 52. Other useful information might be that the head badge holes are 53 mm apart.

I’ve spent a lot of time on classic Viking cycles. It’s the serial number on the dropout that has me confused but apparently these serial numbers were quite haphazard before 1954. Once I start disassembly I will look for the frame number on the steerer tube. He was so adamant it was a Tour of Britain and that he purchased it in Feb 1952. He has written about the bike in some regional cycling publications and always described it as such.

I will also likely come across more original parts when clearing out the garage and maybe some more photos of the bike from that time, which may shed better light on the matter.

Some photos here of (what I believe to be) the frame in 1952-56, but I wasn’t able to discern much from them, maybe your expertise can.

 

[bagpuss]

Could Viking of done a special build ?

 

[juvela]

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pedals -





cycle's present pedal set something other than Campag

note how cage attaches to body with rectangular tabs whilst Campag employs round

note how barrels be three-piece steel whilst Campg are forged alloy

the deeply counterbored medial spindle ends are a positive sign of quality

readers should be able to identify subject pedals with further image(s)

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gear mech -

if you are able to locate Grandad's Campag Gran Sport gear mech it would be period correct to fit as product launch date was 1952

it enjoyed a relatively long production life within which there are differing periods/generations

these are illustrated with appropriate dates at velobase -

http://velobase.com/Pages/ListComponents.aspx?Category=108

the machine's present Chater Lea chainwheel appears to have 3/32" dentition which would be compatible with a derailleur drive train

[edited earlier message with a few additions]

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