It may have been different in the U.S. and elsewhere, of course, but in the U.K. the B.17 Standard has always been stamped 'Champion Standard' (in association with 'Champion Narrow/Flyer/Sprinter') since at least 1936, when the B.17 range was significantly 're-jigged'. Prior to this they had been stamped 'CHAM B.17 PION'. At the moment I can't find any B.17 saddles more recent than '65 amongst my stuff, but I'm fairly confident that copper rivets would have been replaced by steel ones on all the range by 1974 - there must be someone out there who is able to check on this? Chrome-plated B.17 Standard/ Narrow/Sprinter frames were available from 1949 until they were discontinued a few years ago ( now re-introduced, I'm told, but only in B.17N format, if anyone's interested). Chamfered flaps were introduced in the 1936 're-jig', and probably disappeared at the same time as the copper rivets? Tony Colegrave, Northiam, E.Sussex, U.K.
>From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
>To: oroboyz@aol.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: [CR]B17 Champion vs B17 Standard
>Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2007 13:44:26 -0700 (PDT)
>
>What was the difference between the B17 Champion and the B17 Standard "in
>The Day"?
>
> The original saddle on my newly rebuilt 1974 Raleigh Competition is
>stamped "B17 Champion Narrow". I am familar with the recent Champion
>Special with chromed rails and large rivets. But in 1974 I thought even
>the B17 Standard had chromed rails. My Champion Narrow has small copper
>rivets, chromed rails, and bag loops. Did the B17 Standard have steel
>rivets in 1974? Was that the only difference?
>
> Regards,
>
> Jerry Moos,
> Big Spring, TX