I just finished refurbing this Claud Butler

[Oldfentiger]

I nabbed this off Ebay a few weeks ago. I guess I was lured by the Campag bits (front and rear mechs, and both hubs). The rims are Mavic. The fork blades are Reynolds 531, dunno about the frame.
It's an Electron and was advertised as 1960's, although my guess is mid '70s. I tried to research the frame number (002208) but could find no clues.
Been for a quick spin and it feels really light and responsive, so well chuffed with it.
If anyone has any clues of it's age I would be grateful to hear.

 

[midlife]

Sorry, can't see the pics

Shaun

 

[Cycleops]

Very nice job. Bit odd to just see 531 forks, the frame should be as well. As for date I'd say about 1970, maybe a little earlier, when did they stop using band on shifters?

You could try dating it from the derailleurs on this useful site http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/Home.html

 

[Oldfentiger]

Very nice job. Bit odd to just see 531 forks, the frame should be as well. As for date I'd say about 1970, maybe a little earlier, when did they stop using band on shifters?

You could try dating it from the derailleurs on this useful site http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/Home.html

Thanks for the link. Nuovo Valentino Extra are 1976 then.
When I picked the bike up it was in very original condition even including the original shops sticker. Nothing alluding to the frame material though.
I believe the Electron was at the cheaper end of the range.

 

[Oldfentiger]

Picture of the bike from the Ebay listing

 

[Fab Foodie]

Another fab CC restoration job! Chapeau!

 

[biggs682]

quite normal just to have 531 forks on a plain gauge Claud frame from the late 70's or early 80's

looks a nice tidy find

 

[midlife]

This is odd. I can't see any pics on the tablet or iPhone. Will try the laptop as we used to sell Electon's BITD and would like to see the pics

 

[Oldfentiger]

I thought it was a bit curious that the bike has tyres of different width, front and back.
The tyres are Michelin World Tour. 27 x 1-1/4 on the front, and 27 x 1-1/8 on the back.
I tried switching them round so the wider tyre now on the rear, thinking it would look less odd.
Now I have only "fag paper" clearance between the tyre and chain stays, which probably explains why the previous owner had them the other way round.
Literally there is maximum 1/16" clearance .

I've been on the internet and it seems that 27x1-1/8 tyres are like hens teeth.
Loads of choice in 27x1-1/4 size tough.

Any suggestions?
I don't want to change the wheels, as I've just had the rear one rebuilt with new spokes.

Are there any 27x1-1/4 tyres which have straighter sidewalls, or are they all the same shape?

The Michelin World Tour 27x1-1/4 is supposed to be equivalent 32mm. but it actually measures 34mm width across the sidewall at the widest point.

I found these, but they don't look very retro, do they?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Continent...739357701?clk_rvr_id=1134071496696&rmvSB=true

 

[mikeymustard]

Panaracer do 1 1/8" tyres: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tyres/p...uard-compe-folding-tyre-27-x-1-18-inch-28630/
pricey but excellent

 

[uphillstruggler]

i like the set up in the ebay listing - looks great either way though

 

[Oldfentiger]

Panaracer do 1 1/8" tyres: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tyres/p...uard-compe-folding-tyre-27-x-1-18-inch-28630/
pricey but excellent

Thanks for the link. Out of stock till February though.

 

[Oldfentiger]

i like the set up in the ebay listing - looks great either way though

You mean with mudguards and seat post bag?
I binned the guards. The front one was broken, and I wasn't keen on the fluorescent orange stripe.
The bag is over endowed with "patina"

 

[mikeymustard]

Thanks for the link. Out of stock till February though.

sorry, I hadn't noticed that

Edit: black walls? https://m.fatbirds.co.uk/541/produc...rt-plus-27-x-1-1---8-inch-tyre.aspx?oldid=541

 

[Oldfentiger]

sorry, I hadn't noticed that

Edit: black walls? https://m.fatbirds.co.uk/541/produc...rt-plus-27-x-1-1---8-inch-tyre.aspx?oldid=541

Yes, I'd spotted those, thanks.
I remembered that I have some old 27" wheels with knackered tyres. They are 1-1/4, so I measured them. They are in fact 2mm narrower than the aforementioned Michelins. So I might be able to get away with some narrower 1-1/4" tyres, if that makes any sense.