Identifying this 1950s Viking

[straightpullspoke3]

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View attachment 1015862

thanks very much for this additional detective work & illustrations!

catalogue illustration exhibits a few small differences from subject cycle

brazed-on top tube pump pegs, likely Cyclo

these may have been removed prior to one of the resprays

drive side Cyclo dropout shows an integral gear hanger not present on subject machine

you could check bottom edge of dropout for evidence of removal; may have been removed to facilitate mounting of Campag mech

pedals in illustration appear they may be Atom 440

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It definitely seems as though the pump pegs were (crudely) removed at some point and the same for the mech hanger. A diary he kept says he used 5 speed campag gran sport and I’ve found the mechs in some tins.

Have also found a photograph apparently showing the frame with the original cyclo Benelux mech and Williams Chainset.

The bike certainly has gone through quite a few guises!

 

[straightpullspoke3]

In addition to the Viking, there is an also an Argos liveried frame. My belief is that this was originally purchased as a Fred Baker in Bristol sometime in the late 1960s or 70s. From the serial number (and I presume size mark) under the BB shell, I presume this is a continental frame imported and sold through FB.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

In terms of the complete system, definitely a one-off. The counter was taken from a coil-winding machine. He wrote a short article about the device for the West group VTTA magazine in Jan this year which describes its use:

Great story, thanks for sharing the article

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

In addition to the Viking, there is an also an Argos liveried frame. My belief is that this was originally purchased as a Fred Baker in Bristol sometime in the late 1960s or 70s. From the serial number (and I presume size mark) under the BB shell, I presume this is a continental frame imported and sold through FB.

That looks like a nice frame and bike, lots of potential.

 

[juvela]

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thanks for sharing the "Argos"

am able to see nothing suggesting the continent

but then your eyes are the ones on the scene

combination of Brampton Victor type seatstay arrangement, full sloping crown, those housing stops and the narrow triangular no-slide pib scream "UK" to my eyes

if chainstays happen to be rapier pattern that would clinch it - cannot tell from images provided

headset appears to be Thomas D. Cross & Sons Ltd model "S" -




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[straightpullspoke3]

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thanks for sharing the "Argos"

am able to see nothing suggesting the continent

but then your eyes are the ones on the scene

combination of Brampton Victor type seatstay arrangement, full sloping crown, those housing stops and the narrow triangular no-slide pib scream "UK" to my eyes

if chainstays happen to be rapier pattern that would clinch it - cannot tell from images provided

headset appears to be Thomas D. Cross & Sons Ltd model "S" -

View attachment 1017305


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thanks for sharing the "Argos"

am able to see nothing suggesting the continent

but then your eyes are the ones on the scene

combination of Brampton Victor type seatstay arrangement, full sloping crown, those housing stops and the narrow triangular no-slide pib scream "UK" to my eyes

if chainstays happen to be rapier pattern that would clinch it - cannot tell from images provided

headset appears to be Thomas D. Cross & Sons Ltd model "S" -

View attachment 1017305


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Some more of what I took. The only thing I had to go on was the serial “F9437” on the BB and “598”. Sticker says it was only resprayed at Argos, hence I think this might be his Fred Baker. From my searching it seems they didn’t build frames themselves. Some sources suggest they stocked rebadged Holdsworths

 

[juvela]

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thanks very much for the additional images

certainly appears very "later 'LX's"


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