In the Beginning...

Here it is, a vintage Viking Hosteller, built in 1961 I think. I've estimated that this is the production year by comparing it to an enthusiast register of serial numbers. The serial number is stamped on the bottom bracket shell. My number is comparably larger than those in the register, and the steerer tube badge design corresponds with when Viking changed it's design in 1960/1961.

The bike was really in a bad state when I bought it from a man in Portlethan, near Aberdeen. Rusted, seized, chipped paint - you name it. Unbelievably it did just run and I rode it from Portlethan to Aberdeen with no brakes. Even the rear derailleur wire snapped! 

Virtually everything needed replacing, however I was aiming to spend as little as possible, so a lot of cleaning and maintenance was instead preferred. The bike was missing its front derailleur and unfortunately when I came to remove the rear one, it's anchor bolt sheared in half - probably simply due to its age and corrosion over time. I since haven't been able to find a replacement anchor bolt so the decision was made to at first convert this into a single speed bike.

I do still have the rear derailleur and shifter lever, so if you would like to buy them, leave a comment. They are manufactured by Huret and Benelux respectively, presumably original with the bike. 

When I have a little more funds I am looking to install an internally geared hub, simply because you don't see many of them in the UK, compared to the rest of of the European continent. They are clean, tidy, and inconspicuously stowed away. I haven't decided yet if I will install an automatic 2 speed internal or go for more range of gears, with the trade-off of having unsightly gear wires. I am also considering integrating a coaster brake with the rear hub, for aesthetics, but also because the traditional brakes on the bike are failing somewhat.

The crank came off easily enough, it used an old set of threaded-wedge splines to keep the pedal arms in place. A word of warning, try soak them in oil before hammering them out, I managed to buckle a stubborn one, but it still fits back ok.

Now for disassembly, plenty of degreaser, polishing, cleaning, wire brushing, and sanding!