Fwd: Re: OFF LIST [CR]1956 Claud Butler Twin Tube on UK eBay

Saxon were a famous British maker in their own right. Bill Bailey was a director there and he had very close links with another famous cyclist Leon Meredith who was a director at Constrictor. Both these were Ex World Champions. Saxon introduced the Twin Tube short wheel-base in about 1937. This differs from the one on e-Bay as the original Saxon has twin lateral tubes for a seat tube all the way down. The Butler only partially twin tubed. Saxon was absorbed by Claud Butler. Claud did build some original styled Saxon frames (circa 1951) but he was not impressed so they went for the partial twin lateral tubes. These started rolling out of the works in 1951 first as specials only (bespokes made to order). Claud had a very lucrative special building (one off's) business and in the early days Bill Grey and later Les Ephgrave made most of these. In 52 the Claud Saxon TT was listed off the peg in the catalogue. This was built for a three speed derailleur probably Simplex or Benelux back then. They carried on supplying these with three speed only until 1955 when you could get a 4 speed Benelux or Simplex as standard. Butler's folded in 1956 post Suez War. Recently I was lucky enough to meet a chap who was in the drawing office of Clauds. His boss was Stuart Purves. This gentleman had the task of drawing all the one off specials full size on cartridge paper for Les Ephgrave to build from. Les was then working by the billiard hall just down the road from the main works. Fascinating. Check with the seller to see what the rear end spacing is.

Croeso Cymru Joe King Nr. Maenaddwyn Ynys Mon Wales

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