Framebuilders ahoy: FREE Claud Butler in need of repair

In days of yore, when I rode only fixed gear bikes around London, my hands down favourite was this old Claud path frame:

I know very little about it, but it was paint-stripped when I bought it, and I put some decals on it, some old TA cranks and really massive drop track handlebars which I remember at the time Rob Sargent telling me would ruin my wrists/life and they did. But ride it I did, and I thought it was really cool.

One day I got gently nudged off the road by a black cab (really, it was the lowest impact left hook you can imagine) and on riding home, the front of the bike just felt....odd. I realised I could see daylight through the top tube as I was cycling, and lo, it was the last ride of this bike.

Since, all the parts I sold/gave to mates, other than the Tange headset/BB which the former is still buttery smooth. It sat in my loft with the ambitions of taking up framebuilding and replacing the top tube. This isn't going to happen, especially now I have an espoir to look after.

However I want to give it to someone who is going to fix it. Please let me know if you are going to restore it and when you can collect from E17. If you want to make a forum donation at the same time, you can here.

can't see all the pics

I wonder if it's only Chrome users that can see them....see attached.

4 Attachments

I'm in chrome on both the PC and Android phone and can only see one pic.

Firefox on my phone and I can see them all

Sent a PM - looks beautiful!

Really nice, lovely lugs. I assume rear is 120? Is there a place for a brake and the rear bridge?

Thanks man, I used a chrome extension to get them off my Google photos account...who knows.

Aye, lugs are the best bit...

Rear is 120mm yes, but I could only run it with a front brake, not sure you would want to drill the rear bridge.

Interested as well. PM'd :)

What is an espoir?

really interested in this for a project, ive been after a Claude for a while so if someone hasnt taken it already id really like to grab this off you!

Yes please! PMd you

Many thanks all for the numerous offers; frame picked up and off to an esteemed frame builder to start the restoration this week. Forum donation incoming!

Painless transaction - thank you
Photoman