What year is Claude Butler number 50400

[lucy locket]

My husband has died and I would like to sell his Claude Butler number 50400 I think it is old he had all his life can you help me and give me any ideas of price please I live in France

 

[Gunk]

Welcome Lucy, sorry to hear about your recent bereavement.

Your CB will have been produced in 1967. If you could post some photos I’ll have a stab at valuing it for you.

 

[goldcoastjon]

My husband has died and I would like to sell his Claude Butler number 50400 I think it is old he had all his life can you help me and give me any ideas of price please I live in France

Lucy Locket,

I am sorry for your loss. I hope you can find comfort in your mourning.

 

[biggs682]

@lucy locket sorry to hear of your loss
When you are ready and able please post some pictures of the bike

 

[carpenter]

@lucy locket : sorry to hear of your loss.

I don't know much about Claude Butler bikes (apart from them being "what we all wanted" when I was in my teens - 1970's).
However, I had a quick look and copied this from a "retrobike" forum post:

1. 1928 – December 1949, Claud Butler ownership, first number = year, next = month, then annual frame count.
2. January 1950 – October 1956, Claud Butler ownership, first two numbers = year, next = month, then annual frame count.
November 1956 – March 1958 Receiver-ship black hole.
3a. March 1958 - Dec 1958, Holdsworth ownership, first number = month, next = year, then monthly frame count.
3b. January 1959 – Mid 1967, Holdsworth ownership, sequential until about 31000 Seperate thread HERE
4. Mid 1967 – Mid 1976, Holdsworth ownership, sequential from 50000 until about 71000
5. Mid 1976 – November 1985, Holdsworth ownership, six digits always starting with a 0
6. December 1985 – January 1987, Marlborough ownership. No info at present.
7. February 1987 – present day, Falcon ownership. No info at present.

So it could be from 1967 to 1976 - So still in the "desirable period of "CB" manufacture.

Best wishes. Guy.

edit: depending on condition and components £150 upwards?

 

[Drago]

Any CB from the Holdsworth/Holdsworthy era is a desirable machine, although less prized than the near identical Holdsworth machines from the same era.

On the plus side, that is a bonus for clued up buyers who want a very nice riding machine but who aren't prepared to pay the Holdsworth tax.

Keen to see some pics, but £150-£250 is feasible if its in smart order and mainly original, down to 50 or less for a real chicken-coop find. Pics would help enormously.

 

[lucy locket]

Welcome Lucy, sorry to hear about your recent bereavement.

Your CB will have been produced in 1967. If you could post some photos I’ll have a stab at valuing it for you.

Thank you for your help I have another look at the number it is 51400 Ih

 

[lucy locket]

Thank you for all your help I have a another look at the number it is 51400 it is need of a painting hope you an help with the price thank you again Lucy locket

 

[lucy locket]

@lucy locket : sorry to hear of your loss.

I don't know much about Claude Butler bikes (apart from them being "what we all wanted" when I was in my teens - 1970's).
However, I had a quick look and copied this from a "retrobike" forum post:

1. 1928 – December 1949, Claud Butler ownership, first number = year, next = month, then annual frame count.
2. January 1950 – October 1956, Claud Butler ownership, first two numbers = year, next = month, then annual frame count.
November 1956 – March 1958 Receiver-ship black hole.
3a. March 1958 - Dec 1958, Holdsworth ownership, first number = month, next = year, then monthly frame count.
3b. January 1959 – Mid 1967, Holdsworth ownership, sequential until about 31000 Seperate thread HERE
4. Mid 1967 – Mid 1976, Holdsworth ownership, sequential from 50000 until about 71000
5. Mid 1976 – November 1985, Holdsworth ownership, six digits always starting with a 0
6. December 1985 – January 1987, Marlborough ownership. No info at present.
7. February 1987 – present day, Falcon ownership. No info at present.

So it could be from 1967 to 1976 - So still in the "desirable period of "CB" manufacture.

Best wishes. Guy.

edit: depending on condition and components £150 upwards?

 

[lucy locket]

Thank you for your help it is very helpful Lucy locket

 

[lucy locket]

@lucy locket sorry to hear of your loss
When you are ready and able please post some pictures of the bike

Thank you for your help

Thank you for your help it needs painting but o.k. Outherwise you have been helpful Lucy locket

 

[lucy locket]

Thank you for your help View attachment 608407 View attachment 608408

It number is 51400 put the wrong one in before

 

[Drago]

I think it might be a Spectra. Lower end of the range, not a 531 frame. Probably still a nice riding frame for all that.

Spec is not original. The rear mech is an earlier Simplex Prestige, the chainset a later 70's item. The wheels look like a later addition, possibly Maillard hubs.

The head badge is the '4 colour' job, eliminating the yellow and blue found on earlier versions to save money on the manufacture. This was introduced in the mid 70's, which would be more in fitting with the chainset and wheels...but then it's a screw on type, which would date it as earliier. The bike has defninitely had components chopped and changed about over the years.

It pains me to say it, but not terribly valuable. If it's in good mechanical order, doesn't need any money spending to make it properly rideable, maybe the £75-£125 mark.

What do you fellers think?

 

[midlife]

I have posted this on the very helpful retrobike thread.

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads...er-identification.392124/page-34#post-3173344

 

[Cycleops]

At the lower end of your estimate @Drago I'm afraid.