Claude Butler Tandem

DaveLeighton · Post by **DaveLeighton** » 20 Apr 2007, 7:51pm

I bought a second hand Claude Butler tandem some years ago from St John Street cycles.
My Missus was having a baby at the time so it was some time before we used it properly.
We've been on rides up to about 30 miles on the bike but it always has the same problems: the handles at the back twist (left/right) on the post no matter how tightly I do the nut. Also, the front handlebars drop now and again while riding (no matter how tightly I crank the Allan key).

I'd like some advice if anyone knows abou these things: do i throw it away and buy a new one or would some parts sort it out?

Any advice or suggestions would be gratefully received.

I've asked SJS for advice but they don't seem inclined to answer (I did buy it some ago to be fair).

Dave

diapason · Post by **diapason** » 20 Apr 2007, 9:00pm

You might try a thin shim around the bar where it passes through the stem. You can buy 'proper' shims from an engineering supplier, but a thin slice off an aluminium drinks can does just as well. I've had one on my bike for ages and it's cured the problem :oops:

N

DaveLeighton · Post by **DaveLeighton** » 20 Apr 2007, 9:10pm

Thanks for the advice.

Dave

robgul · Post by **robgul** » 21 Apr 2007, 7:38am

.... and, don't laugh, attach the shim with some double sided tape .... it just reduces any slippage and holds the shim in place whilst fixing it

Rob

jimcrosskell · Post by **jimcrosskell** » 21 Apr 2007, 5:39pm

If it's the same as ours (circa 1984 CB Majestic 2) the front bars are held by the nut and bolt on the front of the stem, not the allen key and the rear bars are held "side to side" by the slotted bolt on the Captains seat stem. Neither of these have moved in tweny years of heavy touring. In fact "she who must be obeyed" has bent two sets of bars sufficiently to require replacement, but they have never moved out of alignment.

DaveLeighton · Post by **DaveLeighton** » 21 Apr 2007, 5:56pm

I suspect that the bars ect. are not the originals...

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 21 Apr 2007, 8:40pm

DaveLeighton wrote:I'd like some advice if anyone knows abou these things: do i throw it away and buy a new one or would some parts sort it out?

Unless the whole machine is cream-crackered, then in a worst case scenario, I think it would be cheaper to replace the stems and possible the bars than to replace the whole thing. There are all sorts of compatibilty problems between different makes of bar and stems (Sheldon Brown has a table of sizes) and bike spares can be quite pricey relative to complete bikes, but there is a big difference between a couple of stems and a whole tandem.

Incidentally, I am surprised about your experience with SJSC - it is usually a very helpful outfit and if you had not mentioned, that would have been a place many on here would have directed you for advice.

DaveLeighton · Post by **DaveLeighton** » 21 Apr 2007, 10:09pm

Nevertheless, they didn't reply to my emails.
Thank you for your advice.

Dave

PW · Post by PW » 21 Apr 2007, 10:58pm

I have a CB Majestic 2 hung up in the shed in bits. The bars/stem are SR mid 80s Japanese, the headset is old type threaded quill. As above the rear bars are attached to the front seatpin. Take it to bits - CAREFULLY! - and re-grease everything, a new set of headset bearings may be an idea given the age of the machine. When re-assembled I doubt if there'll be anymore bother.
One more tip - the hubs on mine are Suzue large flange with so-called "sealed bearings" which are nothing of the sort - they're the annular type used in industrial sewing machines. If the hub goes pop you can tap them out using a rubber mallet on the end of the axle & get replacements from an industrial bearings supplier on your nearest industrial estate. Much cheaper than bike shops! :wink:

DaveLeighton · Post by **DaveLeighton** » 22 Apr 2007, 9:23am

Thanks PW, your advice is appreciated.

jam05 · Post by **jam05** » 22 Apr 2007, 1:09pm

SJS cycles didn't reply to my emails either but when I rang them they were very helpful.

The animals go in four by four by four

DaveLeighton · Post by **DaveLeighton** » 22 Apr 2007, 1:14pm

I'll try poning them then!

DaveLeighton · Post by **DaveLeighton** » 22 Apr 2007, 8:45pm

Resolved the problem by buying another tandem.

Hopefully I'll be able to sell the Claude Butler Majestic 2 to someone who knows how to sort it out.

Stay cheerful,

Dave

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