Ribble project?

[antozzi48]

I've recently won this on ebay and was hoping someone out there might have a better idea of what I've got.
It was listed as a Ribble as that's what it says on the frame but as its not the original finish I cant be sure. The BB tube is stamped as British made with a V and a GR stamp (I guess identifies the BB not the frame)
Its also covered in grease nipples, 3 on the BB and 1 on the headtube lower bearing, and I cant see a routing for the front mech cable so maybe it pre dates them?
Any help or leads would be great.

 

[Jonny69]

That must have been reconditioned by them and re-stickered. That's a much older frame. You've got hand cut lugs and what look like Russ forks and early style mudguard mounts. I don't think the brazed-on cable guides or the drive-side rear dropout are original and are later additions. With a clip headset it's probably a late 30s lightweight, because they weren't used for very long before becoming obsolete.

Back then, the lightweight builders all had their own unique style when they cut their lugs, so this is probably the only way you'll identify the bike. That vertical finger on the headtube lugs is probably what will be the defining mark. You'll need to trawl the Classiclightweights site

 

[antozzi48]

Thanks for the lead, I'll start digging! If I find anything I'll post it here for you if your interested?

 

[Jonny69]

Definitely!

 

[antozzi48]

Re:

I think I've found a match.

The fork crown differs but from what I can see of the frame its a dead ringer, wish I could see the non drive side to check if the grease ports are standard.

http://www.peterbrueggeman.com/cr/butler44.htm

 

[antozzi48]

On closer inspection the head tube on the '44 has straight tube where as mines flared at each end (like a modern semi integrated a-head)?