I'm new on here, so bare with me! Recently purchased a Claud Butler, on doing a bit of research I guess it's a 1960's Holdsworth Coureur, it has a Benulux rod type front gear change mech, Campagnolo Gran Sport rear mech, weinemann front and rear centre pull brakes, il Primo Milano holdsworth handle bar stem, and original (knackered) Brooks seat. I've been looking for a similar model to replace the one my father gave me when I was sixteen, it had previously been his, I lost it whilst moving house. My intentions were to buy and restore, i.e. repaint frame, replace seat with new Brooks Swallow, overhaul brakes, bearings, replace chain and cables etc. and then give it to hih as a 65th Birthday present. I'm now unsure and confused as to what extent, or if at all, i should proceed. any advice would be much appreciated.
1960's claud butler
- Thread starter lc66fxd
- Start date
OldTel
rBotM Winner
First off, its probably a Holdsworth built Claud Butler Coureur ( checkout http://www.nkilgariff.com/ for catalogue info ), second off what are you trying to achieve, what state is the frame and whats your budget. If the frame and components are restorable, ( a photo would help ) restore, all the parts sound orginal, and the orginal look is difficult to replicate. An proper paint, decals, new wheels will all run into a lot of money but it can be nearly new at the end of the process. Time is also a factor, a good clean and polish for the frame ( touch up paint ? ), replacing bearings, polish all the other parts, a new saddle and its up and running in a week ( assuming part time effort ), painting and chasing parts can take time, good bike painters have queues. Hope this helps. Terry
Thanks Terry. My main concern is does carrying out a restoration spoil the authenticity. The frame is not in good condition, many scratches, but no rust, the wheels appear original, a little surface rust that has been polished off by previous owner, there is pitting to the chrome, yet to remove threw and check rims, from memory as a youngster this is where most corrosion takes hold. I'll attempt to post a couple of photos tomorrow, not great on IT. In answer to your question on what I'm trying to achieve, that really depends on further investigation regarding costs etc. Lloyd
OldTel
rBotM Winner
Hi Lloyd, be aware there a lot of colour enhancing car polishes that will help the frame colour, steel rims are a pain, if you have wheel builder locally, he could rebuid it with alloy rims, if they are 36 hole you can still get vintage looking 27 inch rims at SJS for £16 ish, worth a look. Terry
