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Thank you and thank your friend for me.My tandem friend got back to me with his opinion on your tandem and this is what he thinks.
Due to the fact that it has a Chater-Lea headset
he is of the opinion that your tandem was indeed built to order from the Chater-Lea Fittings catalogue.
The original owner could have ordered a set of fittings (lugs, bottom bracket, headset etc, possibly frame tubing too) and had it built up by a local workshop, or commissioned Chater-Lea to arrange all of this work and then deliver the complete frame to the original owner.
As stated before, and illustrated by the period adverts posted by @New Mexico Brant (post #26
above) , Chater-Lea didn't build frames themselves as such, but you could order a frame from them built to one of their numbered designs.
Apparently they produced two double gent's style tandems featuring your tubing configuration.
Here they are from the 1931 catalogue.....
View attachment 1793390
...you could order a 'Model 14', or a 'Model 12B'.
The only difference between them is the choice of a single-sided drivetrain, or a cross-over drivetrain.
Your example has a frame designed to accommodate a single-sided drivetrain as the cut-out in the chainstay shows, and if you zoom in on the above image, you can see this illustrated.....
View attachment 1793391
...from this detail I think it's reasonable to think that you have a tandem built to the Chater-Lea 'Model 12B' design.
Here are the specifications for that model.....
View attachment 1793392
Still no clue as to the actual builder, and chances are we'll never know, but you have a top quality machine nonetheless.
(Images from V-CC library).
Good question. They seemed to do things slightly differently to everyone else.-----
what steerer diameter did Chater Lea employ for tandem sets?
IIRC the Chater Lea single sets used a steerer of 31/32nds inch
-----
Hello again. I compared all the measurements for the 12B. My bicycle fork has one difference, the distance between the front forks i measured 4 1/4". Was thinking when the wheels with the drum brakes where added maybe they spread the tubes to fit the newer wheels. The attachments you added are extremely helpful with tech info. By chance do you have any pages with the other parts such as cranks, chain rings, wheel component's etc. Seriously thinking of restoring it to original as in 1931. going to take me a few years or more do to the financial cost to search, secure, shipping to obtain each piece but i believe will be well worth it. saving a little part of history and go for a ride. In Yuma Arizona once a year a 100 or so bicyclist get together for a PUB RUN. 6 mile ride stopping at six bars. seen some vintage bikes in the group along with every kind to date. Unfortunately the leather part of the seats can not be saved. The cables as most parts where left in a plastic tub outside, rusty is a understatement to say the least. White vinegar soak everything and see what i have. please pass the word i am seeking parts for this project. Oh, colors..there was some little blue as in baby blue. do you know if this was a period correct or was it open to any color available at that era in time?My tandem friend got back to me with his opinion on your tandem and this is what he thinks.
Due to the fact that it has a Chater-Lea headset
he is of the opinion that your tandem was indeed built to order from the Chater-Lea Fittings catalogue.
The original owner could have ordered a set of fittings (lugs, bottom bracket, headset etc, possibly frame tubing too) and had it built up by a local workshop, or commissioned Chater-Lea to arrange all of this work and then deliver the complete frame to the original owner.
As stated before, and illustrated by the period adverts posted by @New Mexico Brant (post #26
above) , Chater-Lea didn't build frames themselves as such, but you could order a frame from them built to one of their numbered designs.
Apparently they produced two double gent's style tandems featuring your tubing configuration.
Here they are from the 1931 catalogue.....
View attachment 1793390
...you could order a 'Model 14', or a 'Model 12B'.
The only difference between them is the choice of a single-sided drivetrain, or a cross-over drivetrain.
Your example has a frame designed to accommodate a single-sided drivetrain as the cut-out in the chainstay shows, and if you zoom in on the above image, you can see this illustrated.....
View attachment 1793391
...from this detail I think it's reasonable to think that you have a tandem built to the Chater-Lea 'Model 12B' design.
Here are the specifications for that model.....
View attachment 1793392
Still no clue as to the actual builder, and chances are we'll never know, but you have a top quality machine nonetheless.,
(Images from V-CC library).
Thank you for the pages.As stated before, all of these were 'custom builds' as such, so no two examples may have been the same. So you can't really go wrong with whatever you choose to employ.
Here are some pages from the 1931 'Chater-Lea' catalogue, showing what else was available from them.....
View attachment 1798211
View attachment 1798212
View attachment 1798213
View attachment 1798214
View attachment 1798221
View attachment 1798215
View attachment 1798216
View attachment 1798217
Personally, I feel that finding a lot of these items would be a long, difficult task.
I would be inclined to also try and source other contemporary parts that were also available from manufacturers such as Brampton, Phillips and others, items such as wheel hubs, pedals, handlebars etc; these are likely to be easier to find, and substantially cheaper, as the name 'Chater-Lea' does add a bit of a premium to the prices asked.
For saddles, obviously Brooks, Lycett, Mansfield or any other British maker would be appropriate.
I would stick with the cranks and seat stems you already have, but obviously it's up to you.
You should bear in mind that this project would never be worth the amount of money you would have in it if you took the time to source exclusively 'Chater-Lea' componentry.
It would be a 'labour of love'.
Good luck, and if you need any help don't hesitate to ask.
(Images from V-CC library).