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@Wheelnut
1938 JOHN S BUTLER
**Complete machine with lightweight frame in butted Reynolds 531, fixed gear, pre-war **
£275 ono
This is a very rare machine, thought to be the sole remaining John S Butler. It was built in Wolverhampton by an artisan lightweight cycle maker. There were at least two cycle shops owned by members of the Butler family in Wolverhampton in the 1930s and it is thought that John S Butler had some connection with one of these.
The headbadge transfer has the address 'Graisely Hill, Wolverhampton' along with the JSB initials and the legend 'The Bicycle Expert'. In all likelihood the builder of this frame did not survive the war as no other examples are known to exist.
The features of the frame that indicate that it was built pre-war include the simple but hand-cut lug shaping, the Russ-type D-to-Round section front forks with abrupt offset, the rapid-taper round-section chainstays and the plain design of the topeyes. The frame number on the seat lug is 1391 and there is a second number '38' which probably denotes the year it was made.
This is a very light frame and was almost certainly built from butted 531 tubes; it is one of the lightest frames that I own. The seat pillar is 27.2mm and the frame was built with a 73 degree head angle which gives a lively feel by the standards of the day. The seat tube is a more relaxed 70 or 71 degrees. The materials and design of the frame indicate that it was built as a 'clubmans' sporting machine.
It was refinished a while ago by a V-CC member and he also reproduced the transfers to replicate the originals (the design is stored as a computer file so replacements can be made). The paintwork is not a professional job and it now has a number of marks and chips, mainly on the chainstays, with some on the top tube. It all adds to the patina...
It has been assembled with componentry dating mainly from the 1940s/1950s. The wheels are modern 700C. The frame was built for the old style 26in wheels so the 700C size is close to this size and suits it well.
Of particular note is the wonderful Brooks B17 leather saddle, a pre-1956 oval badge style that has been 'blocked' (reshaped) and 'butchered' (trimmed) in the manner of the period.
The machine has been built with the following components:
GB girder stem and GB Maes bars with blue cotton bar tape.
GB Sport hiduminium front brake with period Universal lever
Brooks oval-logo (pre-56) B17 saddle, blocked and butchered, alloy seatpin.
700C alloy rims with Atom/Pellisier hubs.
Nicklin chainset with Williams 44t ring.
Pre-war type steel pedals (Raleigh RRA?) with toeclips and straps.
The bike is ready to ride. A 70-year old piece of history for £275. Sensible offers considered.
Contact: Martin on 01491 638307 or 07737 146671 (or leave message via this website)
Bike is in South Oxfordshire but could possibly deliver to East London (Bow or Greenwich area) as I will be driving there next week.
I also have a 1954 Claud Butler for sale.
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