Claud Butler Electron

[TheElectronKid]

Here are some pics of the Claud Butler Electron build that I finished about a month ago.
The idea for the build was based on the bike I used to ride to school everyday in the early to mid 70's.
My original Claud Butler Electron was yellow with just 5 speeds, plastic saddle, cottered crankset and chromed steel wheels.
I wanted an improved version of that bike with some iconic 70's components that would be suitable for hilly terrain and still retain a classic look.
I Bought the frame from ebay along with the Weinmann centre-pull brake set, Drilled brake levers, Brooks saddle and Stronglight chainset.
The Suntour rear mech represents the innovation of the Double Parallelogram which Campagnolo and Shimano subsequently copied.
The wheels are NOS Mavic Module E 27" rims (First hooked clincher rims) with Campagnolo Nuovo Record Hubs that I proudly built myself using ACI Double Butted Spokes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54857718@N06/5081569009/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54857718@N06/5081564293/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54857718@N06/5081573529/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54857718@N06/5081571291/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54857718@N06/5081575961/

I've really enjoyed the whole process of researching and rebuilding a classic bike.
It's combined engineering/bike building skills with nostalgia and at the end of the day given me a really nice bike to ride.
Now got my eye on an 80's/90's Eddy Merckx rebuild. Will keep you posted.

 

[Spokesmann]

A great looking machine and the colour is just lovely!

 

[alecstilleyedye]

that's really nice…

 

[TheElectronKid]

Cheers for the replies.

The blue frame colour is really nice, especially in sunlight.

According to the catalog scans on the nkilgariff site, the colour is Campagnolo Blue Flamboyant.

It needs a few touch-ups to the paintwork and maybe new "Electron" decals, but otherwise it's in pretty good nick.

I have found another "Electron" frame in the Golden Yellow colour I originally had as a schoolboy but unfortunately it's too small for me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54857718@N06/5084207651/

I'll probably hang it on the garage wall until the right size comes along.

 

[oldgit]

Nice, just what I'm building. Sadly my paint is shot so it's all been taken off. I thought mine was Campag flam blue, but it's lighter than that. Mines going to be single speed with period parts and guarded up for winter riding.

BTW I've just asked about seatpost size, do you know what it is?

 

[TheElectronKid]

Hi oldgit

Your Electron frame looks like the earlier 60's version, with 1 band of white on the seat tube as opposed to 3 on the 70's frames.

I presume you've seen the Claud Butler catalog scans on the nkilgariff site if not here's the link.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgariff/ClaudButler.htm

The seatpost size on my frame is 26.4mm.

Hope your build goes well and look forward to seeing another "Electron" back in use.

 

[oldgit]

Well it'll be in use big time, but if your a purist your going to have a corona.
This is going to be part period and part modern, it'll be non original colours as well. I've also lost the pump pegs so I can use a frame fit pump, and I've ground off the lamp bracket.
It's about to be JD Green with gold Claud Butler signature script. Yellow bar tape.
Period parts, Weinmann CPs and levers, GB bar and stem, headset.
New parts, Brooks B17, 27 1/4" large flange singlespeed wheels.
It'll look of the time, but stand up to heavy use.

 

[mavesyn]

Looks great, as said previous....Lovely colour..........

 

[Goldie]

Both lovely bikes. I have a massive soft spot for 60's / 70's Clauds, having been knocked for a six by how nice my own Electron is to ride:

Keep those pictures coming...

 

[Spokesmann]

Great looking old machines. As the man says, more pictures!