Claude Butler

[Paddy56]

Hi all
I recently acquired this CB from my father in law . I believe it is from about 1950 and originally had a single rear cog. The 5 gears being added much later.
I just wondered what the original bike might have looked like
Thanks P

 

[Peachy!]

Very very nice. Avant Coureur from 1949 November (9-11) production number 5473

ps Claud didn’t spell his name like a French girl

 

[Paddy56]

Great Thanks Peachy! Correct spelling also noted

 

[Paddy56]

Hi Peachy! I wonder could you advise me.The breaks on this 1949 Claud Butler have seized and some parts now brocken.
I can’t really tell their make.
Could you advise what sort of makes would be appropriate to replace them with.
Many thanks

 

[Peachy!]

Hard to tell from those photo angles but I’d guess they aren’t original. They look a more like 60’s/70’s Weinmann but I can’t be sure. Easy and cheap enough if you want to replace like for like, but if you want correct then you need to be looking for GB brakes

 

[Paddy56]

Hard to tell from those photo angles but I’d guess they aren’t original. They look a more like 60’s/70’s Weinmann but I can’t be sure. Easy and cheap enough if you want to replace like for like, but if you want correct then you need to be looking for GB brakes

Thanks Peachy! Will look out for some GB brakes

 

[Old Ned]

Should be relatively easy to strip the stirrups down, give a good clean and polish and reassemble with a trace of grease on the pivots. I've done this with far worse ones than those! Also, please look around for some 'proper' Weinmann levers rather than the awful 'suicide' ones currently fitted. Quite easy to find I would think. New brake blocks and cables and Bob's your fathers's brother in the braking department..

 

[Paddy56]

Many thanks for the advice Old Ned! Very much appreciated

 

[keithglos]

The cheap chainwheel is surely not original.
Also I would be concerned about the safety of the handlebar stem. Looks like a Reynolds, and if so were prone to failure 60 years ago.