1949 Claude Butler

[Ianthepom]

Hi all. I am after any information either about Harry Quinn Cycles in Liverpool or early Claude Butler cycles. My Father bought a CB from Quinn's back in 1949 it was a fixed wheel. He hardly rode it until he was married and used it to commute from home to Lancaster when I was a kid. it sat for a long time in the garage. When he was 65, my brother sent it back to Quinn's for a respray, had the fixed wheel changed to a ratchet hub, added brakes, mud guards and a horrible carrier. It sat only to be ridden once until my father decided last year that I should have it as I am a cyclist.. The issue is I live in New Zealand. The CB arrived mid May this year. I am in the process of restoring it.

Does any one have any photos or information either about Quinn's (I have been told they have since closed) or early Claude Butlers as I would like to get the original style Decals made, Quinn's, when they resprayed the frame changed the lovely scroll font to block font.
I look forward to any information at all.

Thanks

 

[Big Block]

Ian
welcome to the forum from across the ditch
the photocopy of the 1949 CB catalogue is found at the excellent V-CC online library
http://veterancycleclublibrary.org.uk/ncl/pics/Butler,%20Claud,%20catalogue%201949%20(V-CC%20Library).pdf

and a better copy is found at threespeed hub
http://threespeedhub.com/wp-content/upl ... 949-UK.pdf

Classic Lightweights has some information on the builder
http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/claudbutler.html

and there are some readers bikes
http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/readers_bikes.html

Decals are readily available from H.Lloyds
https://h-lloyd-cycles.myshopify.com/pa ... page_num=4

a guide to the components available in 1949 can be gleaned from the Holdsworth Aids to Happy Cycling catalogues
http://threespeedhub.com/wp-content/upl ... 949-UK.pdf

any photos of the bike and the components you have (it is in the period I have an interest in)?

Philip

 

[Ianthepom]

Thanks Philip. This lot is gold, it looks like the bike is a Velo and it did have brakes and mud guards. I have trouble remembering back that far. I am off to the UK in 2 weeks to see my parents, I will try to contact H. Lloyds while there to get the decals. seems like they have most of the ones I need. Spent today stripping her down and started de rusting some of the "Chrome" bits.. Going to be a slow winter job but am looking forward to it. Thanks again
Ian

 

[legrandefromage]

Claud!

 

[Big Block]

H. Lloyd's are good with ordering online for the decals.
There are a few techniques recommended for dealing with rust, and none are mechanical.
Oxalic acid, Evaporust, electrolysis are what I use, but there are many other chemical treatments.

Any parts that you need? Postage to this side of the world is usually very expensive and getting the items posted to a UK address for you to collect will be cost effective.

 

[Ianthepom]

Re: 1949 Claud Butler

Thanks Philip
I am heading back to see my folks in a couple of weeks so will try to get hold of Lloyd's before I go and also see if I can find somewhere to get some of the brake parts I need. The bolt/spring holder that goes through either the forks or rear stays are bent and stripped thread (I think from the guy who came to strip it down to send to me) so could do with a couple of them. I have never seen anything like them before, the section in the middle that holds the spring for the brake clamps seems to be all part of the bolt.
I found a product similar to the Evaporust from Mitre 10 but even after 8 hrs didn't really clean off the rust so will see what Evaporrust is like, I can get it at supercheap Auto

 

[legrandefromage]

Claud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Big Block]

any photos of the brakes and parts that need replacing?
and the brake manufacturer and model?

If you use a chemical rust remover, make sure you degrease the parts thoroughly first, when wash with a detergent, rinse, then into the rust removal bath.
With a weak solution, it can take a few days of soaking and an occasional gentle rubbing to remove the converted rust and then back into the bath.
for large parts I use the oxalic acid. Much more economical that Evaporust.
Small parts I use the Evaporust.

 

[Ianthepom]

The brake parts all have CB in the casting near were the cable attaches as well as the name HIDUMINIUM on the opposite arm. There are some numbers on the back behind the spring but are very hard to make out at this stage, maybe after I clean them the numbers may come up better.

 

[Big Block]

GB (was the company set up by Gerry Burgess), and Hiduminium was the type of alloy used.
They became known as the 'Standards' when later styles were released.
Classic Lightweights have a nice account.
http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/de ... rakes.html
and http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/components/gb.html

and a 1950s catalogue from the V-CC site
http://veterancycleclublibrary.org.uk/n ... brary).pdf

For a 1949 bike, they are period correct, and no reason to suggest they are not original equipment.

and this beautiful photo by Mike

from his 1950 Jim Guard project
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/250997/

Although I recall there was a catalogue reference to red fibre washers used for the main pivot point, so I use them as well.