1960's Viking Conquest

[Illaveago]

I picked up this Viking Conquest today. I am hoping to clean it up and get it rideable again.

It is in original condition , one owner from new. It is from the original Viking company from Wolverhampton, I think from their glory days of the 60's.

Here are some pictures of it before I washed it and started cleaning it.

 

[Illaveago]

After a bit of a clean.
I have not seen this make of steel tubing before. I think it is I C L. It has gold lined Nervex lugs.

 

[biggs682]

Apart from a slack chain that doesn't look bad at all
Nice colour scheme

 

[Paulus]

Doesn't look in bad condition for a frame getting on for 60 years old.

 

[Reynard]

That's got the potential to clean up very nicely. Best of all, it's RED

 

[Cycleops]

That's really lovely, should clean up well.

 

[Illaveago]

I've been out in the garden in the shade this afternoon cleaning it up . I have been de rusting the cranks and rear mech. The cranks are coming up well . The rust scabs can be scraped off with a flat bladed screwdriver after brushing on the gel . The rear mech is cleaning up but some of the chrome has come off . It has disc idlers .
I had a go at polishing the paint and I am really impressed by the finish . The clear lacquer is as good as that on my 80's Raleigh Clubman.

 

[Coast]

Love the colour. This should make for a great looking bike.

 

[Illaveago]

There are some bits I really like which I am discovering whilst cleaning it up . I like the V logo on the bolts . The cotter pins are usual or I haven't seen anything like them before . They are bullet shaped ! They remind me of the 60's TV series "The Lone Ranger". He handed out silver bullets !
I had a look on the back of the front brake caliper hoping to find a date stamp but there wasn't one !

 

[T4tomo]

VCL tubing

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/Viking/N-Hopkins_Conquest.htm

 

[Illaveago]

I have been doing a bit of de rusting.

 

[T4tomo]

that's coming up lovely. love the detail on the chainring bolts and cotterpins

 

[Illaveago]

VCL tubing

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/Viking/N-Hopkins_Conquest.htm

Thanks . It is interesting that it was a de luxe model as I was getting that impression as I was cleaning it . The gold lining of the lugs , the nuts and bolts with the V logo .
My model has Nervex lugs instead of the Prugnat ones in the catalogue . Also the rear derailleur is not a Cyclo Benelux one . Still got to figure out what one it is .

 

[Illaveago]

I think the derailleur has Allvit on it .

 

[T4tomo]

I think the derailleur has Allvit on it

Allvit was a Huret range derailleur. there is an example shown on https://www.disraeligears.co.uk/site/derailleur_brands_a_to_r.html but not your one.

I have no idea which model btw, I was just referencing VCL vs ICl tubing with that link, its the right era, but spec will no doubt vary between years.

my first proper "racing" bike was a Viking - a kids/teens 26" wheel model in the late 70's, somewhat past their glory years, although I think they were still churning out a 531 framed superlight back then, along with cheaper mass market models.