forresterace

I've been reading this forum for quite a while now and have learned a lot. I never really figured that I could afford to participate with the type of "classic steel" that I seemed to be drawn to. The other day I noticed an ad in our CL for an "AS IS" bike - a Claud Butler from the '60 - '70s. I'd never heard of the make but Mr Google told me lots and although the bike's condition seemed rough (classified as fair) it seemed intact and equipped quite well. The potential value of all the parts seemed to be equal to the cost and despite needing a complete repaint, I jumped in. I retire at the end of this year so I'll have time to devote to a major project and I don't care if it takes me two years!

Oh yeah, I paid $230. It's a 53 cm frame and is Reynolds 531.

Equipment - Rear Der. - Campy Nuovo Record
Fr Der - Campy Nuovo Record
BB - Campy
Shifters - Nuovo Record
Crank - Sakae SR Royal
Freewheel - Regina 6 sp.
Brakes - Universal Super 68
Hubs - Campy Nuovo Tipo
Rims - Mavic GP 4 tubular
Seatpost - Campy Nuovo 26.4
Stem - Mavic
HBar - 3ttt
Brake levers - Shimano

In the photos I have not cleaned the bike at all, It is exactly as I got it. The numbers on the bottom of the BB seem to say it's a '63 but some of the frame features point to a later date of '69 to '71. The NKilgariff site catalogs lead me to believe the my bike is a '69 to '71 Tipo Strada Record.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/6836022...7629835267063/

What do you all think of my project and my identification?

Doug

rhm

Very nice.

I could easily believe the frame is older, but the components agree with the date you suggest. Without claiming any expertise, I'd say you've probably nailed it.

I'm not sure it needs a repaint. Well, yeah, it probably does... but don't rush into it. See how good you can make this paint look; when cleaned and polished it will look a lot better, and may suit the bike well.

I would replace the bar and stem with stuff from the right period, and the brake levers. Is there any chance the guy you got it from has the original ones? It might be worth asking about them.

unworthy1

Seems about right: the Tipo Strada (Regular, Record, Super) was introduced in '69 and yours looks like it probably is that model given the 531 plain-gauge tubing (the seatpost size is the clue) and stamped DOs and fork ends. The Super came with "sprints" (tubulars) and both the regular and record had Weinmann CP brakes...given yours has the sprints and Universal 68 sidepulls, I reckon it might be a Super.
I agree with RHM: first just clean and wax before you trash the paint, it might look fine as-is. Give all bearings a thorough re-pack and replace the bars/stems and you have a very handsome vintage rider.

Velognome 

very nice indeed, great project! Rhm has some good suggestions. Look for some period stuff and go slow on the frame, I wouldn't rush into a repaint.

A paint job is easily purchased, a patina is earned.

cycleheimer

Check out Flickr... search on "Claud Butler" ... you might be surprised with some of the detailed pix that show up!

rootboy 

Very nice old bike. OK, I don't know old English bikes much. What are those brazed on fittings on the back of the head tube and bottom of the top tube for? And that bracket bolted on to the rear of the front brake bolt ?
Neat bike!

cehowardGS

You can tell by how many high signs you got on that, on how much I approve.

The bike is RIGHT ON THE MONEY..

My two 79 Raleigh Comp GSs, came with Nuovo Record. and they are 531 too, ...Look, you gotta get another

One of my babies..

https://www.cehoward.net/newral131.jpg

photogravity

So is this considered a "Holdsworthy" Claud Butler based on what we know of these bikes?

k_as_in_knife

Nice - I like it! I would guess the fittings behind the head tube are for a racing number plate, and the bracket behind the front brake looks like a fender mount.

Is that a self-extracting bolt in the crank?

rhm

I guess they are to hold a race number.

All that's left of a plastic mudguard!

edit: Ack! too slow!

forresterace

Hi everyone and thanks for the comments. The fittings on the headtube and top tube are the very things that convinced me of the specific model. They are for removeable number plates. The Tipo Strada starting in 1969 through 1971 were the only Claud Butler models that had them.

https://homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgar...TipoStrada.jpg

Chombi

Looks like a very nice resto project for you!
The race number mount surprises me as I thought those only came up on Euro made pro team bikes from the mid 80's. I guess CB was ahead of everyone in that department.
I also noticed that your bike has a simialr mix of components as the 1972 project bike I am working on right now.
What's interesting is I have a similar mismatch with my crankset and my brake levers with the PO choosing to go with a Shimano 1st gen DA crank and brake levers that do not match the 1st gen Campy NR FD, RD and brake calipers on the bike.
I'm wondering now if there was a sort of a fad or trend during the early 70's where they did this concious mix of parts for some reason (specifically the brake levers and cranks). I doubt if the Japanese parts were later replacements as they fall perfectly in line age-wise to the Campy parts on the bike which look to all be original.
Mixing of parts seems to be generally taboo now with a good portion of the C&V crowd and I understand why it might be, so it kinda slowed down my own project bike resto till I can make up my find on whether to switch the cranks and brake levers to all Campy NR to complete the picture or put back the old Shimano DA stuff. So far I'm leaning towards changing them to all Campy, but dang!, it's not going to be cheap to do so plus the plainish looks of the Campy NR cranks is kind of underwhelming (mostly the chainrings), compared to most other cranks that I'ved used.
I'm wondering if you will be feeling the same with your re-build on this CB, or will you put back the SR and Shimano pieces on the bike?
Please remember to post up pics of the bike when you're done.

Chombi

MikeG41

Holdsworthy owned the rights to the Claud Butler name, & Trade Marks from 1958 to 1985.

photogravity

Hey Mike, so that's how that worked, eh? I did not know that piece of the CB history.

MikeG41

Here's where to look- https://homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgariff/