Wanted 40's or 50's Drop Down Bars & Headset

Submitted by Runner Alex on Mon, 08/16/2021 - 23:19

I am looking for 1940's or 1950's British velodrome bars for my 1948 Claud Butler track frame to match up with my early date Presto-Merkens stem. Ideal width for the bars, would be 42cm's Centre to Centre, but would consider slightly smaller. Everything in life can't be perfect! I'm also looking for a 40's or 50's British track headset as well.

Runner Alex

4 Comments

Submitted by jdwillia on Tue, 08/17/2021 - 17:46.

For a headset, I do not think that they differentiated between road and track. A Brampton Alatet would be a good choice. You might find one on Ebay UK, or on Hilary Stone/s website. Steel track bends were available from Cinelli, or possibly from GB (Gerry Burgess). In their catalogue, Claud Butler does not specify a particular handlebar bend but says the buyer of the bike could specify any handlebar. Track bars were, as a rule, steel. Cinelli model 14 steel bars are a great choice but are hard to find and quite expensive.

Submitted by Runner Alex on Tue, 08/17/2021 - 18:41.

Thanks for taking interest in my post! smileyI am looking for any brand of British or European track components from the 40’s or 50’s. I actually have two UK velodrome bicycles frames. A 48 Claud Butler as mentioned in the above post, which I will try my best to build up to 90% period correct with canes. Th other frame is a 49 Merlin Brothers UK frame which I’m building up with a mixture of period correct part & more modern parts. It will become my main workhorse fixie ride……I know Hilary Stone; he is slowing down and going into retirement from what I know. He is up there in age. I was told he is trying to sell off his collection and not doing anymore international shipments.

Submitted by jdwillia on Tue, 08/17/2021 - 19:18.

I bought an F.W. Evans from Hilary about 5 months ago and he shipped it to me promptly in Edmonton. I may have some steel track bars - I will look.

Submitted by Runner Alex on Tue, 08/17/2021 - 21:06.

Feel free to email anytime.  Alex

amwalt52@hotmail.com