Viking Allrounder Serial No. 120263

Just become a fully fledged member, so first of all hello!

I've just got my hands on a 1960's Viking Allrounder (54cm) so it's small but feels nice and light...I'm only 5'9" and got short legs as well so should fit nicely!

I want to strip it, get it powder coated and then convert it to a single speed lightweight commuter.

Questions:
1) I need new 27" wheels, suggestions?
2) Can I re-use the BB and Crank, Chainset or does it need replacing?
3) I'd like to put the decal badge back on after the power coat but what's the best way to get it off and then back on?
4) Where other than the classifieds would you recommend I get parts from, I def need to get an extended stem, bull bars etc

Look forward to your feedback!

from cp's

^
I say give it a clean up and leave it as is. Perhaps new pads, chain, sprocket and cables.

This bikes spent 60 years in this state, and is designed for it, putting bullhorns on in would be like dressing your grandmother up in wet look leggins, an oversized T-shirt that says something like "WTF IDK" glasses with no lenses and DM's.

Just buy another singlespeed bike.

Oh, and new tyres.

Some grannies these days look nice in wet leggins!

I want a project bike, this came to be for free so thought why not!

if you paint it it'll look just like any create / foffa out there
good hard wash t-cut and wax i know it's weather / beaten but thats chartacterful
if you want some monotone boring looking bike then just buy a otp cheap fixie

I don't want to buy a OTP cheap fixie, I wanted to build a single speed from something old because I'll enjoy it and end up with something I created...

If you're saying this is just totally the wrong frame then I'll give it away and just look to buy another old bike for such a restoration...but ideally with more race geometry.

Restore it as a comfy, all weather, rack on front and back with carradice bags on functional bike. would be great!

then buy a cheap early 90's frame on ebay and have that as your singlespeed.

Ok, I'll have a think...as not sure I've got room for 2 bikes and really wanted to do a single speed project.

I know they’re not the responses you want to hear, but they really are on point (and probably based on experience). You’ve got a really charming bike there, and getting into a good ridable state is a project.

My thoughts would be:
**
Frame:**

• Strip, clean, treat rust carefully with wirewool and GT85/WD40, and degrease
  
• T-Cut, polish, wax, polish
  
  

Parts to replace:

• Rims -you want alu rims)
  
• either 27”s there are cheap ones knocking about, NOS, or Velocity have a good range http://www.velocitywheels.com/store/categories.asp?cID=17 the Synergy looks like a good bet, but seems to be only 36h, or go for some wide 700s with big chubby tyres
  
• Wheelset – unless the hubs are something special that deserve restoration I’d probably just replace the whole lot. You’ve got what looks like a toptube cable guild for a rear hub gear, so something like a SA3 would be quite cool. Otherwise I would just go for which ever silver fixed or ss hubs take your fancy.
  
• seatpost – go with a sympathetic alu seatpost with an inbuilt clamp
  
• brake pads, cables, etc.
  
• Maybe brakes, some nice Malfac centrepulls with good quality modern pads will improve the braking while being sympathetic.
  
• maybe bars if you’re not happy with those – possibly something more swept back.
  
• maybe brake leavers – can’t really see properly but those look a bit odd.
  
• Chain
  
  

Parts to restore/clean:

• Saddle – just clean and then treat slowly and carefully with brooks proofhide/similar, and probably retention once it’s back to a good supple state.
  
• Crankset (usually I’d just say replace a cottered crankset because it’s such an arse, but that might be worth saving. If you don’t then go for a TA onelike this http://velobase.com/CompImages/Crankset/98EAE170-0777-4095-B977-D4E22029E531.jpeg
  
• Pedals
  
• mudgaurds (polish)
  
• stem (polish)
  
• bars (polish)
  
• headset (depending on condition - clean, remove rust, replace bearings, regrease)
  

I think this would look great cleaned up and left as is. Three speed/ single speed, meh.

If you are looking for a fixie skidder then I think this is the wrong bike. If you want a vintage frame then get one in that state and if you sell this cleaned up it should fund that. A newer frame will also solve your wheel size issue for your newer and blander single speed.

edit:
^ what he said

Just go for it if that's what you want to do.

You can buy reproductions of the original Viking stickers, Ive seen them about on ebay etc- I thought about repainting my 60's viking frame but in the end I decided I like the paint job as it is ('wabi sabi'). Over time I've changed most of the other parts.

While I was messing about I googled a few good Viking restorations, most of which keep the original style of the paint job as much as possible.

As for the wheels, I just bought 700c's and long caliper brakes.

Ok, I'm starting to like the sound of this project now...

The current hub is a Sturmey Archer 4 Speed and the brake leavers are ARRET and could be cleaned but the rubber protective sleeve needs changing.

I quite like the crankset...it's a shame it's missing one of the Viking red nuts...

I'll be stripping it this evening...the frame has alot of rust showing...maybe worth getting it powder coated in the same colour? The getting some new decals?

http://vintagebikecave.com/product-category/vintage-bicycle-parts/rims/rim-types/clincher-rims/ is a good source of rims - including 27"
or if you don't fancy relacing or rebuilding the wheel you can get a whole wheel from the same guys
http://vintagebikecave.com/product-category/vintage-bicycle-parts/wheels/27-inch/
And if you do choose to respray (or worse still powdercoat) - the place to go for decals is http://www.hlloydcycles.com/ - make sure you measure up where the decals go and get decent photos etc before you strip the paint - saves you a headache when you come to apply the new ones!

http://bicycledecals.net/vikingdecals.htm

http://classicvikingcycles.com/viking-transfers-decals/

I don't want to buy a OTP cheap fixie, I wanted to build a single speed from something old because I'll enjoy it and end up with something I created...

If you're saying this is just totally the wrong frame then I'll give it away and just look to buy another old bike for such a restoration...but ideally with more race geometry.

My point really is there is a lot of work and you can do it sympathetically, using the majority of the existing parts.

Even by removing all of that extra weight from the wheels, seatpost, and probably cranks, it's likely to be a heavyish frame designed for comfort.

If you want a fast feeling single speed, then I'd look for a complete proper racing bike from the late 80s or 90s.

This would be awesome: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CANNONDALE-CAAD3-600-SILK-ROAD-TRIPLE-105-HEAD-SHOK-EXCELLENT-/290773577381?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item43b374aea5&_uhb=1#ht_693wt_1397

grab some full carbon forks, a 25.4 mtb stem and some easton carbon risers, then use a magic gear or chain tensioner.

my severn valley is a mixture of charming patina and rust but it looks lovely in my eyes ( see the viking thread )
i modernised the bike but tried to keep it looking retro
with those old brooks mine was very weathered, i took off the top layer of hard cracked leather off with a chisel / stanley knife and got down to suede wire brushed it and it looks almost new ( well..... as almost new as a 30-40 years old brooks that has been left out in the rain can look )
it's now a nice path racer / cruiser which rides lovely 531 awesomeness

firm ride?

;)

It does look good tho:

Hugo that looks lovely and would do me nicely!

The Allrounder decals don't seem to be available but are similar to the other models so I can get it close. The frame really does need a respray or powdercoat is it's covered in rust...would people spray or powdercoat? Keep to original colour or change?

I like the stem and bars on that one above!

~~I bet you £50 that it does not "need" a respray.

It just needs a proper clean and some treatment. Powdercoating isn't that nice, and you ll never get the contrast pannle. So go for wetspray.~~

Edit. It's your bike, I'll stop imposing my views.

hugo7 no pleases your views are all good...I'm totally new to vintage bikes, fixies, and single speeds so I'm keen to take advice and try things out.

The only reason I kept saying powder coat was I thought that gave the best finish...do you think all the rust on the frame can be removed my myself? If so what technique would you recommend? I have all sorted of polishes and waxes that I use on cars...

vintagehenley - for the rust spots use a gentle scrubbing medium, one of those green scrubbers for washing up maybe. If that's no good then wire wool followed by autosol. Be gentle, take your time.

When satisfied, coat with something like linseed oil to stop the rust coming back

If it was my frame I wouldn't spray or powder coat it but as Hugo says - its your bike, do what you wish with it. Remember that once its sprayed you can't go back.

Maybe show us some photos of the rusty areas, it doesn't look that bad in the two photos you have posted.

Thanks

Did you say it was an SA 4 speed? Whatever you do don't loose the toggle chain ..

Loads of stuff on the Moulton sites on those hubs.

My 2p worth would be:
Strip the frame & Give it a good wash
Gently address rust - brass wool is good, some use scrunched aluminium kitchen foil or kitchen scouring pad
When you're done you'll know the extent of the rust issue and can decide whether to leave as it is, touch it up or go for a full respray.

To a certain extent it depends on what you want to do with the bike and how keen you are on it looking "as new".

For me personally It takes a lot to respray a bike - I'm all for the light touch.....
Here's the bike I ride everyday - https://www.lfgss.com/post3004486-64058.html
And here's my current project - https://www.lfgss.com/post3095797-47.html

(so I'm a bit of an extreme case, but I cry inside when I hear of another nice steel frame getting packed off to armourtex)

Ok here's some more photos...let me know your thoughts...