Mystery Old Road Bike - Help!

B

Bikegoo

Retro Newbie
Hi Guys,

Was wondering if anyone could help shed some light on what this bike is. One of my friends popped it round this morning. It had been sitting in a garden for a long time and the weather has taken its toll a bit.

Could it be an old Claud Butler? The frame has no markings on it aside from a serial number "731097". Its 4 speed and has an old Lucas bell on there and a simplex gear lever. Aside from that most other bits on it are a mystery.

Any ideas?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48358202@N00/sets/72157608044538666/
 
It looks like a Chater Lea or Williams chainset and Osgear changer (I'm not a great expert, someone may know better)
 
It's not an Osgear, it's a Simplex or Huret Tour de France mech. Would be clearer if it was cleaned up a bit.

731097 doesn't sound like a Claud Butler, it's certainly older than a 1973 build - and definitely not 1997!

The fluted seat stay cluster could be a clue.

Have a look on - http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/ - you might find a similar bike on there.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I've been trawling the web and found this...

ClaudButlerJubilee.jpg


This Claud Butler Jubilee looks similar. The seatstay cluster looks very similar although there aren't any pointy down bits near the rear dropouts. The cranks and rear mech look quite similar (but noyt quite the same). Could we be getting close....?
 
You're right, it does look similar. CB did make some lovely lugless welded frames. I think they were (some anyway) built by Bill Gray who built my Dave Russell (see thread in readers' bikes).

The 'pointy down bits' are part of the dropouts designed for use with Osgear style rear mechs.

That's a very nice bike you've found, what site is it on?
 
Yes, thanks. I'd forgotten about that site having a bike gallery. Nice bikes shown there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

V
Help valuing bike?
Replies
1
Views
346
MrBike
M
P
Help identifing Giant road bike with Once logo
Replies
2
Views
601
Paskcall
P
W
Claud Butler - Carpenter - Vintage Bike - Wheel Help
24 25 26
Replies
253
Views
14K
Woz
Woz
sjcprojects
1993 653 Condor ID (rebadged as a 'Reflex') - Squadra?
2
Replies
12
Views
2K
sjcprojects
sjcprojects
B
Help with identifying a British Lightweight frame
Replies
5
Views
844
chickendrumsticks
chickendrumsticks

Latest posts

Back
Top