Chris Grange trades as Bakers Bikes. His phone number is 01279 758718. I bought a Chater Lea o/s bottom bracket set from him last year, but the ones he sells are in bare metal, and require plating.
Neil Foddering Weymouth, England
>From: Hilary Stone <hilary.stone@blueyonder.co.uk>
>To: Doug Smith <doug@kingsweir.plus.com>,<classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Subject: Re: [CR]1937 Claude Butler
>Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2006 21:35:14 +0100
>
>The Tandem Club in the UK can supply adapters to convert the oversize BB
>shell to std English threads. The adaptors simply screw into place - its
>probably a good idea to use some Loctite on the adaptors though ones I
>fitted to my sister's Carlton have been in place for 20 years... And they
>only cost 14.85 GBP. See http://www.tandem-club.org.uk/
>are most useful when you want to use a modern cotterlees chainset.
>Chater Lea oversize BB cups are available - I think Chris Grange who bought
>most of the Chater Lea spares when they closed probably can supply cups and
>axles - I cannot trace Chris Grange on the net but he does trade under
>another name, He has remanufactured many spares for classic purposes. I
>will
>see if I can find out more tomorrow. They also turn up reasonably often aty
>cyclejumbles and Brampton and others also made cups with the same threading
>as this was the standard tandem size in the UK in the 1930s but tandem
>axles
>are either too wide (the rear one) or too narrow (the one in the
>eccentric).
>The bearing track on the axle is slightly different to take account of the
>5/16in ball bearings but standard axles would probably work. The Chater Lea
>oversize size was very popular with several makers - especially Ellis
>Champion and Carlton in the period 1938- 52.
>Hilary Stone, Bristol, England
>
> > From: "Doug Smith" <doug@kingsweir.plus.com>
> > Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2006 21:13:29 +0100
> > To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> > Subject: [CR]1937 Claude Butler
> >
> > In reply to Don Wilson's subject and his questions has surprised me
> > because only a week ago I wrote a caution to any buyers/ bidders
> > thinking of purchasing Claud Butler frames of this era be aware of the
> > possible over sized bracket. More surprised I did'nt receive any
> > comeback on my efforts to alert members of this problem!
> > However to answer Don's questions , yes they did have a head badge in
> > genuine brass and CB painted logo plus an oversized Chater Lea bottom
> > bracket shell.They may still be obtained as second hand and used but I
> > would think hard to get,no doubt !.
> > All is not lost if anyone has no chance of buying an over size cups and
> > axle as the shell can be replaced/re.sleeved with the normal sized
> > threading by any competent frame builder. Although this adds to the
> > cost, it has I have discovered in the past well worth the extra costs
> > and overcomes any future problems.
> > There would be no problem with the chainring /crank set fitting as the
> > axle diameter is exactly the same size of all the normal bottom bracket.
> > The subject of gearing is a personel choice especially as derailleur
> > gears were limited and fix wheel riding was the choice by most riders
> > as being unable to afford gears of any description was the reason. The
> > other alternative ofcourse to this is the old faithful Sturmey Archer
> > three speed.
> > Doug Smith
> > North Dorset
> > UK