'73 Holdsworth
02-13-20, 09:00 PM
#1
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'73 Holdsworth
The decals look worse, viewed in person...
Very cool bike, but it looks pretty rough, especially the big "HOLDSWORTH" decals on the top and down tubes. So I am soliciting opinions on what to do...
1) clean and prevent add'l damage, or:
2) full on restore (not happening), or:
3)(my inclination) to try restoring(?) or replacing just the main decals, perhaps with some minor paint touch-up. I am well aware that replacement decals will be much newer looking than the paint surrounding them. Perhaps then try to artfully distress the new decals? This is what scenic artists in the film business often do, but yikes... It's a bike for Pete's sake. An iconic bike. Originally I was going with option 1, but decals are worse than I thought. That's all.
Cheers, Eric
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02-13-20, 09:06 PM
#2
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The paint looks very decent. I'd replace the decals. It's too bad that you only have two Holdsworths to refurb, 
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02-13-20, 09:13 PM
#3
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I really dig that combo of a TA and a campy RD. That opens up the door to some great gear combos.
What are the brakes? Are these the wheels you are going to use?
What are the brakes? Are these the wheels you are going to use?
02-13-20, 09:19 PM
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Hello Eric,
Congratulations on this new arrival!
Definite "retain & ride" option #3 .
Silly question - "how did a Dia-Compe brake cable clip find its way onto a Holdsworth Professional cycle?"
Silly question II - In photos chainstays appear to be rapier pattern. Is that correct?
---
Transfer tip -
transfers are likely to be varnish fixing. if this is the case you might wish to read up a bit on this system before beginning replacement. alternately, you could have the local framebuilder do them for you to achieve the best result...
-----
Hello Eric,
Congratulations on this new arrival!
Definite "retain & ride" option #3 .
Silly question - "how did a Dia-Compe brake cable clip find its way onto a Holdsworth Professional cycle?"
Silly question II - In photos chainstays appear to be rapier pattern. Is that correct?
---
Transfer tip -
transfers are likely to be varnish fixing. if this is the case you might wish to read up a bit on this system before beginning replacement. alternately, you could have the local framebuilder do them for you to achieve the best result...
-----
Last edited by juvela; 02-13-20 at 09:30 PM. Reason: addition
02-13-20, 09:53 PM
#5
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I have some flat skewer Campy record wheels, and Universal centerpulls w/ the levers, from '71 that I plan to use.
They were used a lot in New England (probably everwhere) back then, by tourers and folks just trying to save some cash.
The bars on it, were old engraved GB, with that modern stem. So I've got GB stem/ GB bars. Yahoo!
02-13-20, 10:04 PM
#6
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I think the paint will clean up nicely and the bike would look great with new decals. I recently did a complete refinish of my '72 Holdsworth Professional that I purchased last summer. It had a rattle can paint job with no decals so I had to do a refinish. If I owned your bike I would just get new decals. Here is a link to the decals I purchased for my rebuild. They are pretty nice. https://www.ebay.com/itm/0648-Holdsw...IAAOSww9xZCPvH
BTW, mine had a TA crankset when I bought it that I replaced with Campy to match the rest of the components.
BTW, mine had a TA crankset when I bought it that I replaced with Campy to match the rest of the components.
02-14-20, 04:29 AM
#7
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I like the long chrome in back--I've repainted a Witcomb (of London) frame that had chrome socks front and back, and left lots of chrome exposed, figured why cover up good chrome with paint that will be chipped? Some felt that was not authentic, but I've seen numerous examples of UK bikes with long chrome, now including this one.
FWIW, I'd replace decals if the old decals can be removed without goofing up the paint!
FWIW, I'd replace decals if the old decals can be removed without goofing up the paint!
02-14-20, 08:53 AM
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I like the long chrome in back--I've repainted a Witcomb (of London) frame that had chrome socks front and back, and left lots of chrome exposed, figured why cover up good chrome with paint that will be chipped? Some felt that was not authentic, but I've seen numerous examples of UK bikes with long chrome, now including this one.
FWIW, I'd replace decals if the old decals can be removed without goofing up the paint!
FWIW, I'd replace decals if the old decals can be removed without goofing up the paint!
Glad to provide additional confirmation for you, regarding the long chrome socks.
The pinstriping and chrome are relatively intact, as is most of the paint. The bike looks almost as if it got leaned up in the same way or the same place year after year, and ended up scaping the top tube decals the most, especially on the NDS. The rest of the frame is in significantly better shape, and hopefully will clean up nicely.
Thanks to posters above for support and confirmation of my approach. And thank you for your source for the decals.
I'm kicking myself for NOT getting NOS Witcomb decals 5 years ago when HLloydCycles still had them (and roughly the same cost, IIRC). I have a Witcomb track bike (Bright red, no chrome) bought from the West Hill Shop in 1975 that needs new decals. (Looking for pics, it's packed away at my folks.)
Regarding NR components, I am trying broaden my component mix, with appropriate frames. I remember these bikes in particular sometimes not being full NR, just headset, hubs, and shifters (I have a set of bar end shifters to put on the Holdsworth, though I can't remember if I have the stainless cable housings ...
CHeers, Eric
02-14-20, 09:07 AM
#9
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I like the long chrome in back--I've repainted a Witcomb (of London) frame that had chrome socks front and back, and left lots of chrome exposed, figured why cover up good chrome with paint that will be chipped? Some felt that was not authentic, but I've seen numerous examples of UK bikes with long chrome, now including this one.
FWIW, I'd replace decals if the old decals can be removed without goofing up the paint!
FWIW, I'd replace decals if the old decals can be removed without goofing up the paint!
Glad to provide additional confirmation for you, regarding the long chrome socks.
The pinstriping and chrome are relatively intact, as is most of the paint. The bike looks almost as if it got leaned up in the same way or the same place year after year, and ended up scaping the top tube decals the most, especially on the NDS. The rest of the frame is in significantly better shape, and hopefully will clean up nicely.
I'm glad to get support and confirmation of my approach. And thanks for your source for the decals.
I'm kicking myself for NOT getting NOS Witcomb decals 5 years ago when HLloydCycles still had them (and roughly the same cost, IIRC). I have a Witcomb track bike (Bright red, no chrome) bought from the West Hill Shop in 1975 that needs new decals. (Looking for pics, it's packed away at my folks.)
Regarding NR components, I am trying broaden my component mix, with appropriate frames. I remember these bikes in particular sometimes not being full NR, just headset, hubs, and shifters (I have a set of bar end shifters to put on the Holdsworth, though I can't remember if I have the stainless cable housings ...
CHeers, Eric
