Claud Butler 1956 Olympic Sprint

After a bit of research I think I've been able to identify and date the Claud Butler (a mention is due to Hilary Stone who set me on the right path). From the frame number, I believe it to be an October 1956 Olympic Sprint - and given that the "original" Claud Butler went into receivership in that month, it could have been one of the last made.

I've also gone through and started to clean up a bag of components that came with it and although not of the same age, there's some really nice Campag bits and pieces.

Keen to restore it back to it's original condition, but other than the '55 catalogue I can't find any photos to confirm the decals and paint and what (if anything) was chromed. Next step is to start bothering people by email/phone, if anyone knows who might be able to help it would be really appreciated.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgariff/CBcats/Cat_56/YellowCat/Sprints.jpg

2 Attachments

I'm still struggling to find any more detail on the finish of the frame, but I've managed to find a few examples of similar. My current favourites are these two:

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/Butler_Claud/c_butler_Ebay_feb-2000.htm
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/Butler_Claud/claud_butler_Warnick1.htm
http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/bikes/cbsprint-rb.html

I really like the metallic finishes. What do people think?!

Also, I can't make my mind up what to chrome - whether to leave the lugs un-touched and whether I should chrome the bottom of the forks and drop-outs?

1 Attachment

What a stunning frame! Can't help with any info but personally I'd have the crown rechromed and the dropouts for practical reasons. I'd have the lugs lined and painted in again as they are now.

Colour wise I'm the last man to be able to offer advice on that as I have changed my mind regarding my own projects repeatedly....

This is one of my favourite colour schemes for a period machine, and it matches your model... no brainer! you could do a metallic version of it.

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/bikes/cb-olympic-rb.html

There's more info on CB bilam frames here: http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/builders/cb-bilam-vincent.html

As for colours, black and red always works well for a classic lightweight, like this one: http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/builders/cb-bilam-vincent.html

Nice.

Cheers Wheelnut - I really like the black and red too.

At the moment I'm tempted by a flamboyant/metallic BRG with cream combination, but I'm changing my mind about every 30 seconds... I'm also still unsure whether to get the lugs lined, sometimes it looks really classy and sometimes it can look a bit busy.

I've seen a few Clauds of a similar pre-Holdsworth age with two-tone banding on the seat-tube which really appeals.

Definitely going to get the dropouts (thanks Tel) and fork crown rechromed, maybe the headset as well if possible. I don't think the head-lugs would need it.

I'm about ready to send it off for restoration, once I've finally made my mind up on colour. I've heard good things about Argos, Dave Yates and Mercian. Does anyone have a recommendation?

I've seen this original paint scheme which I really like (although it is a Holdsworth era Claud) and I've also seen similar on pre-'56 bikes.

1 Attachment

Oh and just to confuse things, I really like these too!

The blue is a Sport Anglais and the green is a late 40s/early 50s World Champ Sprint by the look of it.

2 Attachments

Ok, so a terrible photo, but the frame's just arrived back from Dave Yates and I'm pretty excited...

1 Attachment

wow! that is crazy, superb job.

That does look amazing! the chrome really makes a difference. It will be great to see it when it is fully built
I've got a CB 1954 championship sprint frame and am after some forks to match can anyone help?
sorry to ask this on your thread Bettini hope you don't mind

This looks sweet. Nice colour choice. Looking forward to seeing this built, any luck with finding out more info on period parts?

wow. that's just perfect.
now put risers on it.

Holdsworth Aids catalogue for 1956 should help.
No risers in there though fortunately.
file://///Cs-xl6e9/cloudshare/Holdsworth%20Aids%20catalogue%201956%20%28V-CC%20Library%29.pdf
Hope this link works.

It doesnt work but i can email you a pdf copy if you like.

Thanks all, I've managed to get a copy of the '56 Claud catalogue from the National Cycle Library downloads. Fortunately I've got the original stem and possibly original bars (which gets me out of the tough decision to whether to go for flouro carbon risers or not...). From what I can tell the hubs and BB were Bayliss and Wiley, the chainset was Charter Lea and a Brooks B17 saddle.

I've seen a few NOS Bayliss and Wiley parts around but it's a period Charter Lea chainset I'm really struggling with.

Also, I'd really like to use it out and about so I'm tempted to get clincher rims.

Falconvitesse - I'll PM my email address, would be really interested in seeing the Holdworth catalogue, cheers