Viking Severn Valley?
09-03-22, 02:52 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Viking Severn Valley?
I bought this bike on ebay about 5 yrs ago. For some reason I put it aside for awhile and now have renewed interest in it. I beleive its the top of the line Viking of its day. But what day that is I dont know. The Viking lettering is not original, its what was on it when I bought it and I tried preserving it but its flaking off.
If anyone has info on timeline when this was built I would appreciate it. I'm thinking late 60's, but was informed that the Severn Valley of that time would have had Nervex lugs. Mid 50's was another guess based on the seattube decal. The style of headbadge I was told was reserved for the top tier Viking bikes.
There is no serial number.
Some of the nice features are curved brake bridge, long wrap seatstays, sloping fork crown and pencil thin seatstay ends.
Any help.
If anyone has info on timeline when this was built I would appreciate it. I'm thinking late 60's, but was informed that the Severn Valley of that time would have had Nervex lugs. Mid 50's was another guess based on the seattube decal. The style of headbadge I was told was reserved for the top tier Viking bikes.
There is no serial number.
Some of the nice features are curved brake bridge, long wrap seatstays, sloping fork crown and pencil thin seatstay ends.
Any help.
09-03-22, 03:10 PM
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yes, Severn Valley "top-of-the-line"
seems unlikely it would have been constructed with a full sloping crown in the 1950's
Britain "discovered" the full sloping somewhat late and then stayed with it after others had discontinued its use
factory closure was 1967
marque subsequently relaunched in 1977 with an effort based in Londonderry N.I.
note rapier pattern chainstays
is ends set Campag 1010 or is it Zeus Gran Sport?
happily no braze-ons have been added
if factory kitting was Campag R chainset would have very likely been the 151 rather than the 144
fittings such as NR rear mech and Carrera brake calipers did not exist at time of cycle's production
we need to keep in mind frameset may have been sold bare and subsequently kitted out by shop or owner
shall look forward to reading what the experts have to share...
-----
yes, Severn Valley "top-of-the-line"
seems unlikely it would have been constructed with a full sloping crown in the 1950's
Britain "discovered" the full sloping somewhat late and then stayed with it after others had discontinued its use
factory closure was 1967
marque subsequently relaunched in 1977 with an effort based in Londonderry N.I.
note rapier pattern chainstays
is ends set Campag 1010 or is it Zeus Gran Sport?
happily no braze-ons have been added
if factory kitting was Campag R chainset would have very likely been the 151 rather than the 144
fittings such as NR rear mech and Carrera brake calipers did not exist at time of cycle's production
we need to keep in mind frameset may have been sold bare and subsequently kitted out by shop or owner
shall look forward to reading what the experts have to share...
-----
Last edited by juvela; 09-03-22 at 03:14 PM. Reason: addition
09-03-22, 03:59 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I've sootted what could be a serial number... 022 on non drive dropout.
Also thru a UK site was told the 1st place Commonwealth games would have been in 1966. So this most likely is a 1967 Severn Valley. Maybe one of the last made since the company folded that year.
Also thru a UK site was told the 1st place Commonwealth games would have been in 1966. So this most likely is a 1967 Severn Valley. Maybe one of the last made since the company folded that year.
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09-03-22, 04:42 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
-----
is ends set Campag 1010 or is it Zeus Gran Sport?
happily no braze-ons have been added
if factory kitting was Campag R chainset would have very likely been the 151 rather than the 144
fittings such as NR rear mech and Carrera brake calipers did not exist at time of cycle's production
we need to keep in mind frameset may have been sold bare and subsequently kitted out by shop or owner
-----
is ends set Campag 1010 or is it Zeus Gran Sport?
happily no braze-ons have been added
if factory kitting was Campag R chainset would have very likely been the 151 rather than the 144
fittings such as NR rear mech and Carrera brake calipers did not exist at time of cycle's production
we need to keep in mind frameset may have been sold bare and subsequently kitted out by shop or owner
-----
09-03-22, 04:45 PM
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is shell a full width 68 or is it somewhat narrower?
---
received recently some information from the VCC marque enthusiast -
there is an alternate account that the Londonderry operation was begun by two yanks
it seems no manufacture was carried out at the N.I. facility with cycles assembled into complete machines using contract built frames
---
forum had another recent thread on a 1960's era machine here -
Viking Wolverhamptom
-----
is shell a full width 68 or is it somewhat narrower?
---
received recently some information from the VCC marque enthusiast -
there is an alternate account that the Londonderry operation was begun by two yanks
it seems no manufacture was carried out at the N.I. facility with cycles assembled into complete machines using contract built frames
---
forum had another recent thread on a 1960's era machine here -
Viking Wolverhamptom
-----
09-03-22, 05:03 PM
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is shell a full width 68 or is it somewhat narrower?
---
snip . . .
it seems no manufacture was carried out at the N.I. facility with cycles assembled into complete machines using contract built frames
---
forum had another recent thread on a 1960's era machine here -
Viking Wolverhamptom
-----
is shell a full width 68 or is it somewhat narrower?
---
snip . . .
it seems no manufacture was carried out at the N.I. facility with cycles assembled into complete machines using contract built frames
---
forum had another recent thread on a 1960's era machine here -
Viking Wolverhamptom
-----
09-03-22, 05:08 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
Manxman Peter Buckley won the '66 Commonwealth Games road race in Jamaica. Perhaps the 1st place eluded to on seat tube sticker. His story is dramatic and tragic.
https://www.transceltic.com/blog/isl...-peter-buckley
https://www.transceltic.com/blog/isl...-peter-buckley
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09-03-22, 05:18 PM
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information on Londonderry operation is quite sparse
find the Harry Quinn reference slightly puzzling as he would have been ensconced in his AZ operation well before reported closure
have no experience with marque either in its Wolverhampton or in 'derry incarnations
the two resources to check would be CR list and VCC
would think there must be persons in those two venues with some detailed knowledge...
-----
09-03-22, 05:44 PM
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information on Londonderry operation is quite sparse
find the Harry Quinn reference slightly puzzling as he would have been ensconced in his AZ operation well before reported closure
have no experience with marque either in its Wolverhampton or in 'derry incarnations
the two resources to check would be CR list and VCC
would think there must be persons in those two venues with some detailed knowledge...
-----
information on Londonderry operation is quite sparse
find the Harry Quinn reference slightly puzzling as he would have been ensconced in his AZ operation well before reported closure
have no experience with marque either in its Wolverhampton or in 'derry incarnations
the two resources to check would be CR list and VCC
would think there must be persons in those two venues with some detailed knowledge...
-----
09-03-22, 05:57 PM
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09-05-22, 12:20 PM
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the Prugnat head lugs, full-wrap seat stays, full sloping forkcrown, all 531DB with Campy DOs sure remind me of one of my Holdsworths, specifically a Super Mistral (mine is from early 1970s).
But I'm sure any resemblance is pure coinsidence.
But I'm sure any resemblance is pure coinsidence.
