1948 Humber Beeston Clubman Model 321
 

Just acquired this 1948 Humber Beeston Clubman from a gentleman in his eighties, he bought it new in 1948 and last rode it a couple of years ago.
Only changes he made were to convert it to straight handlebars and a few years back he had it serviced and shop sprayed it to touch up the blue paint, unfortunately they sprayed over the transfers and head badge though they are still visible, otherwise it is all original. He says he still has original receipt and is trying to find it and let me have it. It also comes with original Pump.
It has a Sturmey Archer AM 3 Speed which apparently was designed for Clubman type Sports Cycles as well as original wing nuts as per SA Literature.
Humber were taken over be Raleigh in 1931, I think, so it is a Raleigh derivative but still having Humber features such as Fork Crown.

Photos & Literature Pics below:-

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1948 Humber Catalogue Page.


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Sturmey Archer AM 3 Speed as on the bike.


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1948 Humber Beeston Clubman.


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Head badge painted over!!!


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SA 3 Speed AM Hub with original wing nuts.


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Original correct Crank Set.


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Clubman transfer visible through paint film on Seat Tube.


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Humber transfer on Downtube.


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Head Stock View showing cutaway Lugs.


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SA AM 3 Speed showing date for May 1948.

Great stuff! I'm curious to know if the indicator guide is integrated with the wing nut or if they are separate pieces. Looking at how far out it extends, I would think it's integrated.

It's amazing that the saddle has survived all these years.
What's that extra clamp on the headset?
Rims look good.
Should clean up nicely.

I think it is integrated but until I take it apart I won't know, you can see from the literature that the wing nuts are supplied with the hub. I will post when I dismantle it which may not be for a while as I am working on a Dayton Roadmaster at present, this will be my next project after the Dayton.

Yes the saddle is a B17 and a bit crackly. it will need some TLC to bring it back but I think it can be done, I have some Brooks 'Proofide' Saddle treatment which should improve it. The wheels have Stainless Spokes, the rims are a bit worn but may be salvageable. I think the clamp pinches the bar stem I think the original had no centre clamp bolt (you can see this in the literature extract I posted, there is no sign of a top bolt on the stem) and this method is featured on many prewar bikes but until I dismantle it I can't be sure. The bike was converted from Drops to Straight bars so I don't have the original stem. I will post info' when I get round to stripping it which won't be until I complete the Dayton Roadmaster which is my current project.

Always good to have a couple of projects on the go.

What a spectacular find. Some great bikes showing up here lately. Personally, I think the over spray legitimizes a total refinish. After all these years of bike hunting I've come up with some fine roadsters, but no club level bikes yet. Looks like there's still a few out there.

Wow. I watched A Boy A Girl and a Bike on Youtube a few weeks ago. This might have been one of the club bikes in that movie. If any bike is a candidate for a complete best quality restoration, this must be one. Someone told me that frame painters can, or have go-to people who can, make perfect duplicates of original decals.

Something like the Clubman or Lenton Sports (imagine an RRA....) would be a grail find for me. The online sites are way too expensive for Reynolds frame bikes of any marque; as I've looked for a Raleigh International or Grand Prix 531 frame to build a cool C&V commuter with my recently acquired 1953 alloy FW hub (pictures when it arrives). I've decided to keep an eye out on local classifieds for a good 60 or 62 cm candidate.

It looks like I'll be getting my hands on a late '60s early '70s derelict Sports in that root beer colour after all. I will post pictures of it when I have it in my possession. It will be great to practice rebuilding a hub with the derelict AW, along with gathering the parts to use on my '50 Superbe.

That Beeston Clubman looks like a great bike! If you're interested in restoring to original-ish drop bars and stem without fixing bolt (because that headclip does hold it in place), let me know as I have a set that was taken off of a Raleigh Clubman of that era.

In terms of the saddle, here's a cautionary tale: On my first longish ride on my '49 Raleigh Clubman with original saddle, I hit a bump in the road and the saddle leather sheered off right at the nose. That was early in a 50-mile ride and still managed to complete it, but not comfortably! So, yes, treat it well before subjecting it to riding rigors.

Yes, it is a great find and pure chance, I was booking my car in the local VW garage Monday this week for a repair and this guy in his eighties was booking in at same time and we got talking bikes, Upshot was he had this bike he bought new in 1947 (I think it was really 1948 from the 3Speed date) which he would never ride again and I could have it if I wanted so we arranged for me to visit his home and take a look. Well you can see what I found and I had already looked through the catalogues so I was pretty sure what I was going to find from his description. I said I would take it and restore it but what did he want for it and he said nothing I could take for free, I said I could not take it for nothing so would he accept £40, initially he refused the money so I insisted he took it and he accepted. He says he has the original receipt and is trying to find it, if he does I can have it to go with the bike which would be fantastic to be able to prove its history.
I think I will probably refinish the frame and re-chrome the Front Fork top lug. and keep it same colour as that was standard for the model. No one has transfers which is a shame but the badge will clean up. I will try Lloyds with photos to see if they can do anything but usually they want full artwork.
Regards

The SA shifter pictured is a $5 new old stock purchased recently for spares. It is identical to the ones used on my 71 Robin Hood and 72 Sports so you are right on with the dates. I'm happy the Speedy Shifter cleaned up so nicely.
Although not considered "desirable" , I kind of like the huskier look and feel of the one on my 79 DL1. Older ones are getting harder to find it seems. Swap meets where there a lots of muscle bike enthusiasts tend to have lots of 3 speed parts but all seventies of course.

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I guess generating the file to print the decals is the hard part. Maybe you could find a graphic arts student at a local technical college wanting a challenge.

Hi nlerna: I will bear in mind your comment re saddle. I may be interested in the stem/bars you mention as I do intend to get to original spec or as close as possible. how much would you want and I have homes both in UK & USA so you would not have to ship International if we agree a deal. Send me a 'private mail' note. Thanks.
Best regards
Peter

My Stepson who lives in California is a Graphic Artist so I written him to see if he is interested, if he can't do it I might try Mercian in Derby who restored my Freddie Grubb frame with correct decals.
A couple of possibilities!!!!!

Love the B17 Saddle, so comfortable, Four of my bikes have the B17, amazing that it was designed around 1895!!!!!

The standard would work better with the more upright position that your bike has, the narrow is for a more aggressive cycling position such as a road bike would have in my view.

The paintwork on you bike is outstanding it is like new, cleaned up really well!!!!

1930 Hercules Update
I saw my friend George at Parts Unknown today.
He had a nice NOS Westwood 28" rear wheel.
Probably made in India.
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It accepted a SA freewheel I had in the garage.
The old Villiers freewheel is stuck on good and doesn't
want to budge.
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This may work as a stand in until I sort out the original.
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Chrome is good.
$20.00

Well, now you know you're good for another 30 years.

What a good deal. That's great. I thought all the newer rims were 36H. Now for the black and red stripes. Well, maybe first a 32H Westwood and then the stripes.

1948 Humber Beeston Clubman Model 321
 

Found this article on the Raleigh produced Clubmans, thought it is an interesting read, it covers the following:-
Raleigh Lenton Sports/Clubman
Rudge Aero Sports/Clubman
Humber Beeston Sports Clubman

These were all basically the same bike badge engineered and with a few differing components, apparently the Humber version is the rarest.

See here:- https://on-the-drops.blogspot.com/20...1946-1951.html

Try this UK website, they supply new Vintage wheels and have Westwood Wheels in stock:- Spare Parts A complete Westwood 28 X 11/2" wheel is £35

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The B17 has been my standard for saddles up to now. In a little game of "musical saddles" the Royal Nord got the newish B67on the RH, the Salsa Vaya gave up it's apple green B17 which is on the Robin Hood and a brand new B17 "aged" and "laced" in dark tan, has been assigned to the Vaya. Supposedly it breaks in faster and is a little softer. Time will tell, but I like the look. Now to find some green bar tape for the Robin Hood Sports.https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e5375fd9f7.jpg