Rusty Claud Butler Restoration! 1981 Vintage Bike Rebuild!

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In todays episode we fully rebuild and restore this Claud Butler Majestic. We fitted new bottom bracket bearings, new headset bearings, new pedal bearings and new wheel bearings! We detailed the whole bike and solved some fun problems along the way...
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[@jeffholder1156]

Your channel inspired me to rebuild a number of old Lemond bikes and get back into cycling in general. Thank you!

[@Bikespeeds]

Wow that’s just great to hear Jeff! Thanks for the support and glad you’re enjoying the channel🧡

[@carlpentney290]

That's probably your best advert for an ultrasonic cleaner to date. Incredible transformation.

[@Bikespeeds]

Unfortunately we don’t stock any ourselves!🧡

[@TailSpinRCSpain]

I still have my Claud Butler Spirit (a very early mountain bike) from 1990 ! Brought it to Spain with me in 1998.

[@Bikespeeds]

That’s great!🧡⚙️

[@davidrobinson9507]

My oldest bike is a 1971 Gitane 'apache Standard's road bike which I bought for $10. It's hanging from the ceiling, midway through a gradual transformation to a one speed messenger style bike. I repainted the fenders to match the BMX gauge purple anodized cranks which I found at a shop. I've customized the stem, drilling it for cable routing. I really appreciate your videos.

[@Bikespeeds]

That’s awesome! Good luck with all your work David 🧡

[@peterjanovcik9973]

I have a very unsightly Claud Butler San Remo which has done more than 70 000km, love that bike! Would love to own one of these older specimens.

[@Bikespeeds]

Enjoy it! Thanks for watching Peter 🧡

[@uniquenamegoeshere2263]

I really enjoyed this video.

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks very much for your support! 🧡⚙️

[@flamehairdisaster1]

Love your work. Please include a long shot (as in) to fit the whole bike in) of the finished bike against a neutral background on drive and non-drive side, please, to finish. It means we really can get a good look of the finished job, and admire it! Thank you!

[@alannorman1773]

Beautiful!! I just love these vlogs. Makes me wish that i still had my 1980s Raleigh Zenith.

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks for the support Alan, never to late to track one down!🧡⚙️

[@popejbryant]

These videos make me want to restore a vintage bike

[@rangersmith4652]

It's very rewarding, but know going in that you probably won't make any money on the restored bike. I recommend you choose your project carefully, perhaps a long-desired classic that you will ride yourself.

[@Bikespeeds]

Do it! 🧡⚙️

[@46FreddieMercury91]

The difference is amazing! I think it's important to preserve these old bicycles. They're part of our cycling heritage

[@Bikespeeds]

Absolutely! Thanks 🧡

[@josephakendrick529]

How cool, to take these parts down to the basics and reassemble a work of art. Great!

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks for the kind words!🧡

[@elfredo70]

Nice restoration! Love those old Reynolds 531 frames! I have the French version of your bike! A Peugeot PL50 with Reynolds 531st frame Weinmann brakes, 10speed with Simplex gears and 650b Weinmann wheels! It's was in Mint Condition and I bought from a desperate Frenchmen when I was in Morocco 3y ago... He had to leave the country due to Covid! 2 years later I rode that bike home to Sweden. 5000km It took me 4 month. (Had a hard time to leave Spain and France🍾🥩🍺😇) Keep up the good job!

[@Bikespeeds]

That’s a story with that bike! Enjoy it and thanks for watching 🧡

[@oftankoftan]

14:09. Instead of vinyl stickers, I'd recommend what BikeItUK does and do some spot touch-up with nail polish or paint. Most of the time, stickers are the obvious choice, but when it's on the logo like here, it sticks out in my view.

[@markwinning5580]

Amazing transformation. Well done!!

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks Mark!🧡

[@JavierGonzalez-oe1qq]

IMPRESSIVE! Good bike build. Excellent mechanic...thank you for that I have an assortment of vintage bikes..1979 Schwinn Le Tour, early 80's Diamondback Mtn Bike, 1985 Fuji League 12 speed Road bike

[@Bikespeeds]

Awesome! Enjoy your collection 🧡

[@WrenB111]

The new bikes are fun to watch, but the old ones are the greatest! Keep up the good work! Love the old vines coming back to life!!

[@Bikespeeds]

We have a mixture on the way with two vintage bikes currently we have bought to do we’re just giving ourselves somewhat of a break in between!🧡

[@chrissumpter3417]

I love that you don't over-restore the bikes by respraying the frame. This has inspired me to keep my 1992 Eddy Merckx team Motorola Corsa SLX in it's original paint. I've had it from new and it bears a few scrapes and marks from the hundreds of races and training rides it's taken me on. I've kept the original Dura Ace 8 speed components, and will continue to use it as it was first built rather that fit modern equipment. It may not be as fast as modern bikes, but I'm not as fast as the 30 year old me that originally bought it. Keep up the great work.

[@Bikespeeds]

That’s exactly the spirit, enjoy all your time working on it🧡⚙️

[@El_SantoTaco]

absolutely stunning. I want to do this to all my bikes.

[@Bikespeeds]

It’s a rewarding process!🧡

[@joannelouiserodriguez5966]

Aww wow amazing looking bike in the end love retro bikes they look and ride so different ❤❤

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks for watching Joanne!🧡

[@martynstokes9289]

Amazing job on the bike

[@Bikespeeds]

Thank you Martyn!🧡

[@leonleber7059]

Just one word: Majestic. And to answer your question. My oldest bike is a 1951 Veeno. A bike build about half a mile from our shop

[@Bikespeeds]

That’s awesome! Thanks for all the support 🧡

[@chinabicycle]

this is the first time I see suntour switches )

[@Bikespeeds]

We liked all the suntour equipment on this one!🧡⚙️

[@chinabicycle]

@@Bikespeeds ))

[@borderlands6606]

Like the fact it's not over restored cosmetically, just mechanically spot-on and really clean. Good job.

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks very much we agree!🧡

[@ajfrog699]

Blows me away how well those parts from older bikes come up in the ultra sonic cleaner. That restore clearly took some time but we'll worth it. Excellent job yet again 🎉

[@Bikespeeds]

Us too! It is like nothing else. Thanks as always AJ🧡

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

Absolutely... really amazing how it came up.... great that some of the quirky old bits are still just about available if you know where to look...

[@endcensorship874]

This one was great. Awesome job. I listen to these at work, I find it relaxing.

[@Bikespeeds]

Glad to hear it! Thank you again 🧡⚙️

[@bikingchupei2447]

lol, just last week i said that was the best old bike restoration i've seen on this channel, this week tops that, every component came out so shiny and new.

[@Bikespeeds]

Haha we appreciate it, yes this one was in better condition to start with than last week’s especially with the chrome components 🧡

[@MrByrneyboy]

Guys, I love all your videos, but especially the older bikes like this one. I have an 80s Dawes I am doing up, plus a 70s Falcon Olympic in progress. 74 Bianchi is my useable classic I will never sell😊

[@Bikespeeds]

Awesome! We would love to get a bianchi on the channel, enjoy all your bikes 🧡

[@roddas26]

Nice work. Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks for watching!🇳🇿🧡

[@tekeeladude]

Absolutely love watching these old bikes get restored!!! Performed maintenance on my wife's bike this last week and followed your routine for checking all the bolts/screw torque settings. To my amazement the derailleur hanger had a loose screw. Your videos have made my bike maintenance process much better. Thanks for the great content. Look forward to more awesome videos.

[@Bikespeeds]

If it isn’t torqued it isn’t right! Glad you’re enjoying the videos and working on your bikes from the videos!🧡

[@lesley9888]

again a amazing job well done

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks Lesley we appreciate the support across the videos 🧡

[@philmorrow2446]

Claude butler was a great name at the time. Those were great days.

[@Bikespeeds]

Definitely an iconic brand of our era ⚙️

[@ianlainchbury]

Lovely job!

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks very much!🧡⚙️

[@JohnPilling25]

Simply wonderful and inspiring❤

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks John 🧡

[@rubenduranartstudio8386]

Nice transformation! I will say probably the best way to handle small areas of oxidation (if a complete repaint or color-match spot painting, plus decal replacement is off the table) is to carefully sand off just the surface rust (without touching the paint), wipe the area with degreaser and with a small artist's brush, apply a thin coat of clear matte varnish just to the exposed steel to prevent further oxidation. The decals unfortunately look like just an after thought. Nice job though, and as always a good narration of the process.

[@brookes79]

Absolutely loved the Claud Butler's I've owned in my youth, not sure if their still as good these days, but they used to be really good bikes.

[@Bikespeeds]

They were an iconic brand back in the day!🧡

[@eternaloptimist2840]

The last "real" CB was made in 1957 when the business was bankrupted. Shortly after that Holdsworth bought the rights to the CB name and trademarks, and started selling Claud Butlers alongside Holdsworth branded bikes and frames. Around the time that this bike was made the CB was just a HW with different paint and stickers. That continued until 1987 when both brands were bought by Elswick-Falcon Cycles. Initially they sold Holdsworth branded road bikes and Claud Butler mountain bikes as relatively high-end, with Falcon for mid-range and Harrier for low-end bikes, but I've seen some pretty low spec bikes with CB branding, I don't know what happened there. Anyway Falcon got into trouble and was acquired by Tandem Group plc. Tandem still uses the CB brand for some of their better bikes, I don't know where they're built.

[@paulburns3016]

Wow that sonic cleaner brilliant look how clean it comes out 👍🏼

[@Bikespeeds]

This one was so satisfying 🧡

[@PhilOsGarage]

Fantastic transformation, it must ride so much better, many more miles and years left in it now.

[@e.con0210]

Put together better than new, considering new grease formulations, cables, tires compounds. Testament to the materials used to make the components, all rebuildable. Not made that way any more!

[@Bikespeeds]

Yep they don’t make them like they used too!🧡

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

As a big fan of the Majestic, I really appreciate this video. Now, more than ever, I feel the need for an ultrasonic cleaner.

[@Bikespeeds]

We may have them for sale on our website in the near future 🧡

[@stephenwilliams926]

To get those weinmann centre pull brakes in the 1970's was my goal. Nice vid.

[@Bikespeeds]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching 🧡

[@samblenkharn8099]

That is so lovingly done. Great work. Fastest bike I ever had was an old ten speed of similar vintage. Braking power (lack of!) can be a bit scary but they're still fast bikes and make for a great ride if well looked after.

[@Bikespeeds]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching🧡

[@BarryJones-wt3et]

Lovely restoration on a lovely bike. I was born the same year as the bike 😊

[@Bikespeeds]

Awesome! Thanks Barry🧡

[@auringerr1]

Looks amazing

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks!🧡

[@saulclarke7186]

That was an absolute joy to watch 😊. Great job. I'd better get on with mine!

[@Bikespeeds]

Good luck and enjoy’🧡

[@veloman59]

Wow - super job. Bike looks amazing now 😁

[@jeffhammond8969]

Amazing! Would have been nice to get access to some new stickers for the down tube and some color matched touch-up paint instead of the sticker, but realize that's not always possible.

[@Bikespeeds]

We have our own vinyl cutter as we make these for our website so for us it’s a value for money and ease thing, we can order this cheap and have a colour swatch in the shop so works better for us than paint 🧡

[@alastairwright77]

Fantastic, really enjoyed this one. Can't beat classic bikes like this.

[@Bikespeeds]

We couldn’t agree more, thanks for watching!🧡

[@richiejames928]

Wow what a gorgeous job you have done of that bike! I’d hang that one on the wall!

[@Bikespeeds]

The pair of bikes is off to be well ridden!🧡

[@Onigure]

Thank you for bringing these videos. They are a joy to watch.

[@Bikespeeds]

Our pleasure! Thanks for the support🧡

[@essex__rider]

Those handlebar sponges! 😲 Great work as always...

[@Bikespeeds]

They are life extinct that’s for sure!🧡⚙️

[@Felintrepid]

Absolutely perfect job!!!

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks very much!🧡

[@Halunken_]

Well Done❤so esy when you take care of the Bike…

[@artrihs]

This is stunning!! Amazing good job!

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks very much! 🧡⚙️

[@brianpurcell9058]

Nice job as Always guys 👍

[@Bikespeeds]

We really appreciate thank you🧡

[@grantnyenes3742]

Fantastic transformation…

[@Bikespeeds]

Thank you grant!🧡

[@rainerunsinn4808]

Vintage restoration always is the best. It's always amazing how good theses old parts turn out, after a good clean up.

[@Bikespeeds]

It’s mega satisfying that’s for sure! Chrome is awesome 🧡

[@unfab]

Always makes my day when you upload

[@Bikespeeds]

That’s really great to hear thank you🧡

[@gazr4967]

Once again. What a transformation. Great job.

[@Bikespeeds]

Thank you very much!🧡

[@kenblair2538]

Again, another great restoration. Thanks. KB

[@Bikespeeds]

Thank you again Ken glad you’re enjoying the videos!🧡

[@richardcampkin6874]

Beautiful Sun Tour gears.

[@Bikespeeds]

We agree! 🧡

[@petecurran3995]

Superbly done AGAIN - that looked like lot of work! The model I believe brought out to mark the Queen's silver jubilee in '77💪🏻 🚲 💨

[@Bikespeeds]

It was indeed! Thanks for watching Pete🧡

[@ehtabor1]

Another fantastic rebuild!

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks very much!🧡

[@Ih8GoogleandApple]

After that service I bet that bike rides amazingly well!

[@Bikespeeds]

Thank you!🧡

[@askmeaboutmattweiner]

I understand why you did not want to replace the freewheel, but a bright and shiny one would have looked fantastic. Love the work!

[@Bikespeeds]

We did replace it! That’s a new one on there. Thanks for watching!🧡⚙️

[@Cyclingismywholelife]

Great restoration as always. Thank you for including the advice on putting free bearings vs race bearings. Incredible what you learn from watching pros do their work.

[@Bikespeeds]

We really appreciate you continuing to enjoy the videos🧡

[@davidlutan7727]

What a tremendous outcome, thanks

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks for watching David!🧡

[@666emad666]

It’s nice to see a bike as old as i am getting restored , and as always great job always enjoying watching the transformation you do .

[@Bikespeeds]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!🧡

[@charliehopkins4737]

I’m loving these older bikes. So much to look at. New bikes are so much simpler.

[@Bikespeeds]

We agree 🧡

[@barrymonaghan6593]

A shocking difference! Looks like it came out of Plato's cave and into the light of day.

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks Barry!🧡

[@jrgenholmolsen4295]

Wow , what a job ,very nice 👍👍

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks very much!🧡

[@shrkys4]

Amazing restore! enjoyed it very much

[@Bikespeeds]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the support 🧡

[@WellalrightthenP]

Great stuff! Makes me want to take a crack at replacing the bearings on my 1980’s Peugeot

[@Bikespeeds]

Best of luck!🧡⚙️

[@23neightdog]

Incredible work!

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks again for the support!🧡

[@zekezyzypt608]

Excellent - one of your best restorations.

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks very much! We appreciate all the support 🧡

[@ulrichr.487]

Lovely bike and great work as always! After cleaning the parts looked almost like new. And almost no wear at all. Jockey wheels, Chainset, wheel bearings seemed to be spotless. Only the paint looked rough. I guess this bike did not do many miles but sat for along time.

[@Bikespeeds]

Exactly, it had clearly been well maintained the grease had just all dried up from sitting! Thanks for watching 🧡

[@bobstevens9040]

You've inspired me to take on a restoration project of my own. I've bought an ancient Carlton from a local junk shop and I plan to refurbish it following your methods. Keep up the good work lads , I never miss a video!

[@Bikespeeds]

Awesome! We did a Carlton, best of luck with it!🧡

[@Goose077]

Absolutely superb restoration and video production. Far far better than anything on the TV. Love these old bike restorations. Well done.

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks Paul a lot of effort goes into them so we really appreciate that comment 🧡⚙️

[@SayMcGillicuddy]

absolutely brilliant. Although not ancient by any means, the parts on a bike of this vintage seem a lot less serviceable that would be the case nowadays - sealed bearing cartridges vs loose bearings etc. You make it all seem so effortless though (I know it isn't). Chapeau gents, I bet the owner was chuffed to bits with this one 👊

[@Bikespeeds]

Yes this was more retro than vintage you’re right there, lots of work goes into the “effortless” effect for the videos so we appreciate it🧡

Stunning job, pleasure to watch!

[@Bikespeeds]

Thank you!🧡

[@papalegba6796]

Best city runaround bike I ever had was an old 5 speed Coventry Eagle racer I found in a cellar & got running again. Only changes I made were putting a back block from a tourer on to make hills easier & modern puncture resistant tyres. Was fast, reliable, maintenance was a breeze & nobody would think of stealing it. There's a big disconnect between how much bike people need & how much they want, these old bikes can be great runners & you can find them dirt cheap.

[@Bikespeeds]

We agree with that entire philosophy 🧡

[@papalegba6796]

@@Bikespeeds Put tens of thousands of miles on it in all seasons, round Leeds & Otley so plenty of hills & hard riding. Never let me down once, used to call it my "clockwork elephant of steel". Best thing about it was everything is exposed, if I'd ridden it through twenty miles of wet salty winter roads I'd just flip it upside down, dry the mechanicals with a rag, quick blast of wd40 here & there, dash of 3-in-1, odd dab of Vaseline & good to go next day. Steel frame, so it was a bit heavy & didn't handle the best, but it had enough flex to be comfy & cope with bumps well, good compromise for city street bashing. Honestly loved that bike, it just ran & ran, only thing ever needed changing on it were tyres & brake pads.

[@ilford3200]

Great work! Thanks

[@NickJames-vh7dl]

Truly brilliant attention to detail. well done guys.

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks again Nick we appreciate it🧡⚙️

[@todddudgeon2320]

Incredible work Lee. It’s amazing how the bottom bracket cups shine after coming out of the ultrasonic cleaner. The old bikes are a joy to ride. Thanks for sharing another great restoration.

[@Bikespeeds]

For some reason they usually come out best from the whole lot! Thanks again Todd for the support 🧡

[@stickmenkissarmy6907]

Super job 👏 👌 🎉

[@Bikespeeds]

Thank you!🧡⚙️

[@oreocarlton3343]

you are an artisan!

[@Bikespeeds]

Thank you Oreo!🧡

[@cristobalromeroperez605]

Good job!!! Congratulations

[@Bikespeeds]

Thank you!!🧡

[@savagepro9060]

First! Like a sparkling restoration!

[@Bikespeeds]

Who doesn’t! Thanks for the support 🧡

[@viviennepatterson5950]

Magic

[@murphyco88]

Those builds are so much fun and rewarding…..it’s hard not to be impatient 😎go simon

[@Bikespeeds]

Haha thanks Murphy we both appreciate it as always!🧡

[@FrancoisTerblanche]

Wow! What a transformation! Beautiful. Well done.

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks very much!🧡⚙️

[@sveablu]

Thanks to you talented chaps, I'm developing a regular grease collection. My last restoration was a 1987/88 Specialized Street Stomper. I completely took it apart, cleaned and re-assembled with all new bearings, including the pedals. I'm sure I took inspiration from your videos to get through that one, including the ugly spider living in the head tube. Yikes!!

[@Bikespeeds]

Awesome restoration! Good luck with all your work and glad we could help a little bit there!🧡⚙️🕷️

[@germurphy4986]

Brilliant restoration, sympathetic and no overkill, keeping the story of the frame is important.

[@Bikespeeds]

That’s our thoughts exactly, thanks for watching 🧡

[@SuperTaylor68]

Absolutely stunning and very satisfying to watch ❤

[@Bikespeeds]

Thank you!🧡

[@paulseaman8558]

Lovely restoration I am of this era of bike I remember seeing lots of these in my teens and the 531 frame fantastic 😊

[@Bikespeeds]

Glad you enjoyed it🧡

[@johnstrac]

I never tire of watching your work, excellent as always.

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks John it’s something we worry about so we appreciate the compliment 🧡⚙️

[@MrAfdasdfa]

This content is phenomenal. I know it has to take some time to assemble and explain what's going on but from an amateur mechanic your wholehearted approach to prioritizing job detail is fantastic. Someday I'll have an ultrasonic cleaner and a proper workbench 🛠

[@Bikespeeds]

We are starting the process of getting ultrasonic cleaners available for sale on our website so that might tie up nicely for you, good luck with your work!🧡

[@davidgutierrez6312]

I love it❤ we share hobby😊

[@AndrewBroadbent-dr8wb]

Great job on the restoration.Thank you.

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks for watching!🧡

[@swingkid100]

Splendid job, pure vintage component porn! That wide ratio chainset is a thing of beauty. So pleased the owners stored the bikes well, and obviously appreciate them enough to have them properly recommissioned. All the best👍

[@Bikespeeds]

Thanks for the kind words, we’re over the moon with the condition it came up too!🧡

[@DOCUMEANT_MEDIA]

Loved it. What a great job 👏 👏👏

[@MrDazP1adv3ntures]

Really enjoyed this latest installment, thank you for taking the time to make the video.

[@Bikespeeds]

Thank your MrDaz we always appreciate your support🧡