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Might be worth posting this in the pre-50s thread and I’d definitely ask on Retrobike as well because there are quite a few Claude Butler knowledgeable people on there. Shouldn’t be too hard to date, being as it’s a CB.
It’s quite early. The headclip puts it in late 30s to mid 40s territory. I think the big bulge at the headset bearings says it’s an oversize headclip, i.e. the larger tandem size headclip rather than the usual singleton size. It’s got a general lack of chrome which suggests to me it’s not pre-war. The chromium shortage during the war meant bikes stopped getting chrome plate during and for a period after. But I’m not well up on how common it was to chrome plate the stays, forks, lugs etc on tandems as it was on normal lightweights so that might not be so reliable as a date marker.
Jonny69-
Ah, cheers man. Haven’t really started to think about this yet but now am even more excite.
Will drop that into the thread you suggest also as a. I need all the advice and b. Some parts, as you can see. -
Also, can’t be certain yet the green is original, and there appears to be a lot of overspray on the ports. May be some plating lurking underneath. Once I get the other Holdsworth done I’ll make a start on this.
crossedthread
And...... here’s the latest addition, Claud Butler with about fifty oil ports. Welcome any and all contributions on age and where I can get drivetrain parts lol