Hi everyone. I've recently picked up a Claud Butler from a friend of a friend who has inherited a few bikes and frames originally from an old bike shop but which have been kept in a lock up for years. Originally I got it with the intention of spending the winter months converting it to a single speed but I've spent many hours on the internet over the past three weeks researching Clauds and trying to establish if this is a pre 1958 frame or a Holdsworth. I've come to the conclusion that I need the advice of some forum experts who might have a better idea than me!
I've looked through the rather brilliant Nkilgariff website but maybe down to my lack of forensic skills have been unable to identify a clear likely model.
The wheels seem to be from a later period - they are Supraseal rims with 'Le Tour Made in France' hubs which I gather are not that great quality. The stem is Milremo and the rear mech is a Cyclo Benelux chain pull affair. The gear lever is a Compagnolo.
Unfortunately I can't identify a stamped number anywhere on the frame although there are some unintelligible markings underneath the BB. What makes me think that the frame might be an original Claud Butler is the frame joints which appear to my admittedly uneducated eye to be bi-laminates. Certainly they are quite intricate and have the 'axe head' design which Nkilgariff relates to the 'New Avant Coureur' launched late in 1948 and the Allrounder model, which was a simple lugless frame in 1949. Did Holdsworth copy these designs though? What looks to me as bilaminate lugs also has remnants of gold paint lining and there is also a gold 'cut out' at the top of the forks which i haven't seen elsewhere.
The BB has two oil ports either side of the frame and another above the forks on the headstock part of the frame, below the badge.
Any help/guidance/views would be greatly appreciated. If it is a Holdsworth then no matter. i still love it but knowing its likely age may determine how I approach working on the project. Eagerly await your reponses and If Ican I will now try and post some pics.
I've looked through the rather brilliant Nkilgariff website but maybe down to my lack of forensic skills have been unable to identify a clear likely model.
The wheels seem to be from a later period - they are Supraseal rims with 'Le Tour Made in France' hubs which I gather are not that great quality. The stem is Milremo and the rear mech is a Cyclo Benelux chain pull affair. The gear lever is a Compagnolo.
Unfortunately I can't identify a stamped number anywhere on the frame although there are some unintelligible markings underneath the BB. What makes me think that the frame might be an original Claud Butler is the frame joints which appear to my admittedly uneducated eye to be bi-laminates. Certainly they are quite intricate and have the 'axe head' design which Nkilgariff relates to the 'New Avant Coureur' launched late in 1948 and the Allrounder model, which was a simple lugless frame in 1949. Did Holdsworth copy these designs though? What looks to me as bilaminate lugs also has remnants of gold paint lining and there is also a gold 'cut out' at the top of the forks which i haven't seen elsewhere.
The BB has two oil ports either side of the frame and another above the forks on the headstock part of the frame, below the badge.
Any help/guidance/views would be greatly appreciated. If it is a Holdsworth then no matter. i still love it but knowing its likely age may determine how I approach working on the project. Eagerly await your reponses and If Ican I will now try and post some pics.