Geoffrey Butler

[funk2monk]

Just started to restore my Geoffrey Butler but really not sure about it’s history or age?
There is a frame number 17569. Is this May 1969?
It’s had a Campagnolo crank and hubs with manic rims. It’s very light and a nice frame.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

 

[Once a Wheeler]

Probably a coincidence but your date idea looks about right. If it were a date, I would expect 170569, but who knows?
Lovely wrap-around seat stays; and are those Campag rear ends with the adjusters missing, or another sort with no adjusters?
It looks as if you have caught it just before the rust really got going. Good luck with the restoration, it should make a great classic.
Here's a similar 1978 model with more brazings: not a bad point of reference:

Details here.

 

[biggs682]

I would say that is a bit later than 69 more like 80's

 

[midlife]

If the paint is original then after 1982 which is when the 531 decal got its wing. Again if the paint is, original then it's typically white. Geoffrey Butler must have bought a tanker of white paint because most of them from the mid 70's were that color lol. Is that a brazed on rear brake bolt?

Long dropouts and cable runs for the gears make it younger though? I wonder if BG painted it in the 80's and put their decals on it. Have you got the forks?

 

[funk2monk]

Probably a coincidence but your date idea looks about right. If it were a date, I would expect 170569, but who knows?
Lovely wrap-around seat stays; and are those Campag rear ends with the adjusters missing, or another sort with no adjusters?
It looks as if you have caught it just before the rust really got going. Good luck with the restoration, it should make a great classic.
Here's a similar 1978 model with more brazings: not a bad point of reference: View attachment 606526
Details here.

Thank you for your reply. Yes I believe they are Campag drop outs and I have removed the adjusters..
I have the forks too.

 

[funk2monk]

If the paint is original then after 1982 which is when the 531 decal got its wing. Again if the paint is, original then it's typically white. Geoffrey Butler must have bought a tanker of white paint because most of them from the mid 70's were that color lol. Is that a brazed on rear brake bolt?

Long dropouts and cable runs for the gears make it younger though? I wonder if BG painted it in the 80's and put their decals on it. Have you got the forks?

Thanks for your reply. Not sure if original paint or not? I’m guessing it is as there is no overpainting of components. I think it’s had a hard damp life somewhere and is showing signs of age through the paint
Both front and rear brakes have braised on boss with threaded stud.
it’s a strange set up but not sure by whom?

 

[midlife]

Brazed on brake bolts were an early 70's thing. The fully sloping fork crown starts to put the age nearer that era too.

 

[midlife]

Double post, CC being a bit silly this morning....

 

[Hover Fly]

Brazed-on stop for front changer cable says early 70s too.

 

[funk2monk]

Just found matching numbers on forks which is quite reassuring to know these where the original ones.
off the get it stripped now ready for painting.

 

[midlife]

What colour have you gone for?

 

[funk2monk]

What colour have you gone for?

Is there a choice? Surely its got to be white!

 

[Paulus]

There is some nice pale blue Butler frames around, quite like the colour.

 

[funk2monk]

Just looking at components I’ve taken off and the crankset is quite unusual - or I haven’t seen this before?
Campagnolo Pista 170 on crank arms and Williams on chain wheel?
Are these ‘period’ for the bike?
Ideally would have liked to have made it into a 10 speed but would like some advice please.

 

[midlife]

Someone has lightened the crank arms . Later third party chainring. I used Sugino rings on my Campag cranks.

You can buy longer chainring bolts and chance an inner ring on the Pista and you will most likely need a longer axle. The inner ring will not be supported so not something I'd recommend.

For double chainrings I'd think about a new set of cranks / rings. Plus the matching axle.