HELP with 1954 claud butler new allrounder PERIOD PARTS?

Hi,
Just got a 1954 claud butler new allrounder frame and forks and I'm trying to work out the best parts for a period rebuild.
I wasn't sure wether to go for a 4 speed or 5 speed as finding 1950s derailleurs for the 5 speed is near impossible.
Could anyone help with a list of period parts it should have????? and to go for a 4 or 5 speed. I'm planing on going for a double chainset as I want it to be practical to ride for hills.
for the brakes i thought maybe GB Coureur Hiduminium.
As for the derailleurs and free wheel and chainsets I don't know as i want it to be close as original as I can get. I planned really to keep most of it CYCLO benelux.

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Hi, the distance between the dropouts could help you decide, I suspect it should 115mm for that period. If it is 110mm it was either a fixed wheel or sturmey hub. Terry

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Firstly 10 out of 10 for trying a period build, it always gets my vote

However, its not easy to source good 50s parts. Theres usually options on Ebay but they tend to get top price if they say 50s in the listing, but odd bargains slip through. Jumbles and specialist auctions are a better bet.

Claud Butler did a similar fit to a lot of their models through the 50s. I think you'd be looking at Benelux 3/4 speed, or Simplex. Williams chainset, Baylis and Wiley bottom bracket, TDC headset, Phillips pedals. As you said GB brakes and levers, Maes type handlebars and most likely a Brooks B17. I have the same set for a CB Jubilee rebuild.

Wheels can be the biggest and most expensive problem depending on how period correct you want the bike. You'll want 27 x 1 1/4" and there are good new alloy options. Period would be Dunlop stainless rims which are out there but getting more difficult to find.

Its all good fun though

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Campa Gran Sport were available from mid fifties and Mafac Racer brakes was introduced in 52, maybe som BSA hubs, All of this turns up on ebay in between. Maybe GB stem at handlebar?

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http://www.bikeraceinfo.com/photo-galle ... s-50s.html

Hi, thanks for all the responses
Just measured it and its 11.5, does that mean it fit both a 4 or a five speed?
Cheers robbied for that list its a great help and looks about the same as what I was looking at
Found a lovely Benelux mk 7 4 speed derailleur on eBay. Think its from around 1957, thats about the earliest 4 speed I can find so think I might look into that if it doesn't get to pricey.

Catalogues: http://www.nkilgariff.com/

Mrs Keith had a "Avant Coureur" complete bike in 1955. It had the williams C1000 (thinner cranks) Simplex TdeF 5 speed, BH hubs steel Dunlop HP 27" wheels, B17N, GB brakes.

I fitted a Campagnolo GS with HBC shortly after.

Keith

When I restored a similar bike last year - 1951 holdsworth cyclone deluxe - I used pretty much what people have already described. However, I did compromise with a modern but retro looking set of large flange wheels.
Bikes from that era also used sturmey archer hub gears
Your bike will be stunning!

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I can assure everyone here that Sturmey Archer gears were very rarely seen on genuine club/racing bikes in the 1950s, unless the users were full time raleigh employed.

Keith

I can assure everyone - that he maybe right with regard to club / racing bicycles - the small research I did for the Holdsworth suggested that hub gears or even single speed were always an option.