Cool shop bike: Claud Butler that belonged to Fred De long

     I do not have a lot of info about this bike to share other than it belonged to Fred De Long and he may have used it to win a state championship. I have tried to track down the model and year of production, but it has been proving difficult. The serial number stamped on the BB shell is 752080. Which, as far as I can find puts it into the era of 1957 or 1967. It has features of earlier models like the unique fork rake and the integrated head set cups. It also has a nice twin plate fork crown with his name and location engraved into it! That feature is my personal favorite. it has the "axe head" lugs that were used on the all-rounder models and nice Chater Lea head clip style head set, also an older feature. The BB shell has two grease fittings. Older bikes also used a seat collar, but this bike has an integrated bolt. The seat stays are also not fully or semi wrapping around the seat lug, which was a common British style, also making me think the bike is older. If any Claud Butler fans can enlighten me with more details, I would love to hear it!

Update: I have been informed by Hilary Stone that this bike is the Anglo-Continental  model. He also dates it to either 1937 or 1947, but leans on the older date because of the head clip style headset and the Russ  fork. Many thanks to all who have provided info!
Update 2: here is a link provided to me by Peter Brueggeman about Russ forks. Thanks! Russ forks



 

Cool shop bike: early to mid 1950's Frejus Super Corsa

     It's been a minute since a profiled one of the bikes in our collection. This is a good one. it is an early to mid 1950's  Frejus Super Corsa. Frejus is an older marque based out of Torino, Italy for much of its history. They were founded in 1896 by Emmo Ghelfi and he retained control to the mid 1940's. It was later obtained by Emilio Bozzi and co-produced in Milan with his Legnano and Woolsit brands.
       Frejus is one of the first classic bikes I was drawn to, mainly because of the head badge. There were also a lot of them brought into the country through NYC, and as a result there are more examples in this area of the country (northeast). Upon closer inspection of the details, one can get a deeper appreciation for their construction. They also have really classy decal and paint schemes with nice amounts of chrome.
     This bike also has lots of early touches., like the Frejus stamped components. The headset, cranks, brakes, and pedals all bear the Frejus stamp. The head set and cranks were made by Magistroni. The brakes look like Universal, but have quite unique QR mechanisms that are not on Universal brakes. if anyone can inform me about their origin, I am all ears. I am not sure who made the pedals, perhaps Sheffield? The bike also has the nice Frejus decaled alloy fenders. These ones are four pieces, and commonly removed for racing purposes, then put back on for commuting use. The stays are very sturdy and have nice acorn type nuts. Also, early Campagnolo Gran Sport derailleurs and shifters with open "C" stampings, which helps date the bike. The rear drop outs are also quite early, they bear the "Brev.0" stamp which are shown in the first couple Campagnolo catalogs from the early 50's and  shown with the toothed type used for the Cambio Corsa and Paris Roubaix gear systems. It has early Campagnolo hubs with the early logos, laced to Ambrosio tubular rims. The seat cluster and fork crown are somewhat iconic to the Frejus marque, it also has the zirc  (grease nipple) fitting on the back of the head tube, a sign of the higher end model.  I also really like the Ambrosio bar and stem combo. the paint and decals are original, and in great shape for their age.  The serial number is 40733 and also has a stamp of MC 54 on the BB shell, which is the size. the bike has a 54cm seat tube (center to top) and 55CM top tube (center to center).
     Enjoy the photos!

For Sale: NOS in box Sturmey Archer AW alloy sheel 3 speed hub 1956 date

     Very nice piece today. NOS in the box 40 hole Sturmey Archer AW hub with an alloy shell from 1956. Comes with fulcrum clip and metal ferrulle. Also comes with a 16 and 17 tooth spare cogs in case the 18 tooth one is too easy for you. As awesome as the hub is, the box is the crown jewel to me. Great color and typography, also excellent illustration. The alloy shelled version is lighter weight than the steel and also has a nicer "tick" to it (in my opinion).
                                   Email at: bikeville@gmail.com for pricing or with any questions.