nlerner

I got out for a Boxing Day morning ride on a new project: a 1982 Holdworth Special, which I bought as a frameset from a BF-er:

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I set this one up with some parts that I've been holding on to for some time, particularly the Retroshift brake levers, which I've matched with Shimano 105 7-speed shifters, Ultegra RD, Deerhead FD. Goes to show how long I've had these in the bin in that Retroshift is now Gevenalle! I've also opted for a 650B x 38mm wheel set, Weinmann 750 center pull brakes, Stronglight 99 triple crankset w/ drilled rings, Cinelli bars, Nitto stem, Brooks leather bar tape, Campy seat post, Brooks B17 with Ti rails.

The ride quality was smooth and sure, both seated and standing. Comfort was good though I need to tip that saddle nose up a degree or two as I found myself slipping forward. I think this one's a keeper.

Last ride 76 

I bought a pair... of Holdsworths. Not even on my radar... The first came up on CL 3 weeks ago, $250, and the seller's husband offered, then drove halfway to meet me!


Yesterday's 1980 white on silver Holdsworth Professional, less than 30 miles from my folks house, where I am currently staying. My thanks to jeirvine for the repost, where I first saw it, and to Rocketsauce for the original post!

Seller bought as bare frame from shop in Boston in 1981. 2 years after the original customer, who spec'ed paint etc. from England, never followed through on purchase.


I also am picking up an apparent Aegis clone, plus a $50 Nishiki international cyclone/spirt component bike. I've gone from having just a few smallish projects, back to completely out of control..... (Somewhat normal state of affairs)

bikemig 

Cool bikes. Are those 2 Holdsworth's the same size?

Last ride 76 

No, the orange is 58, (hooray), but the white is a 60, which I promised myself I would stop riding... I'm not so quick, limber, or strong, doing emergency manoeuvers or dismounts any more. I used to be 5' 10 3/4" and raced 58cm, at 61 I'm still 5' 10 1/2 (in the morning.)
Unfortunately some of my favorite bikes are 59 and 60 ctt. I would happily trade them for 57 or 56, but have not put much effort into actually making trades.

bikemig 

I was just hoping that the orange was not your size as it is mine. Too bad, .

Andy@64

I restored a 1951 Holdsworth Cyclone deluxe , it had been hand painted in red and i wanted to return it to original. However i was unable to find a picture of one on the internet so decided just to paint it similar to a cyclone i had seen. However on removing the hand paint underneath all the box lining and transfers was visible so i have been able to return it to as it left the factory in 1951.

Ill post a picture as soon as i have 10 posts !

Andy@64

So here it is a 1951 Holdsworth Cyclone Deluxe, original seat post ,stem, headset and handle bars. I have tried to keep the rest age related baring the rims which are
later alloy ones. The box lining,transfers etc are all in exactly the same place as original.

Kilroy1988 

I'm not sure how this one escaped further comment, except perhaps that you need some better photos to share. It looks like a stunning restoration - who did the paint work? A nice cottered Chater Lea crank or the like would be especially suitable, but I understand the desire to use something as robust and light as what you've got on there. Cheers!

-Gregory

jetboy 

Yes somehow I missed this. My brain cannot even comprehend those lugs properly without closer pictures. amazing bike.

Oldpeddaller

Finally finished during Coronavirus lockdown! My 1970's Holdsworth Strada (later known as Professional) - previous owner recalls it was his brother's racing iron at the time of purchased, used hard for a season or two then refinished by Holdsworth themselves in metallic red and passed on to younger sibling. The bike was in a very poor state when I bought it very cheaply from ebay a couple of years ago. It had been stored in a boat house and (mis) used over the years by people who had "borrowed" it and replaced original parts with rarely suitable MTB items. Once cleaned, the paint was actually still in good condition though the fork steerer was adrift from the crown (it seems the headset had been run with bearing races missing?) and the top tube has two or 3 shallow dents - 'patina'! In the end I changed very little - replacement fork from a later Holdsworth, the original fork can still be repaired when time and opportunity arise. A new Holdsworth branded saddle and Selcof clamshell seatpost have been fitted, the crusty Mafac racer brakes replaced with modern Shimano 105 calipers as I needed to refurbish the Mafacs for another project. New sprockets, chain, cables, leather bar tape, Campagnolo pump clip and headset bearings added. It rides beautifully - as I remember my Holdsworth Pro from years ago used to - wish I'd kept that bike!

Tanner4

Hi guys and girls. I finally got myself a Holdsworth!
I'ts a 1982 Holdsworth Specia in pearl orange. It has Shimano 600EX arabesque rear derailleur and shifters, Suntour Cyclone front derailleur, Campagnolo nuovo record brake levers, Weinmann type 500 brakes, ITM quill stem, and Sakae drop bars.

dwgwater

Here's my dad's old Mistral referenced here. https://www.bikeforums.net/19795335-post77.html It needs some TLC and looks like it has a bent fork. Can bent forks be straightened?

merziac

dwgwater

Forks can usually be straightened, yours looks from here to likely be bent at frame behind the headtube.

Another pic of that area straight on including the HT and about a 1ft. of the frame would help.

That can usually be straightened too if there are no cracks or bad kinks before or after.

If it gets bad it can of course be fixed if you deem it worth it.

And it would be to me if it had been Dad's, would absolutely get fixed, especially if it fit me.

sced

1973 Super Mistral Fastback, serial# 69559, back from a frame builder for repairs and new paint. I have owned it since new.

sced

Rare Chronometro Ultralight on Ebay right now - seems reasonably priced
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-VINTAG...0AAOSwLYVfsszd

dwscrimshaw@bti

A couple from 1958, Monsoon and Shop built Factory Special Zephyr. I have had the Monsoon for several years now and it has been in various forms, but now runs 3sp Benelux gears. As I am collecting more single speeds the 3sp fits well. https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/...-speed.381566/ The Zephyr I pick up last year as I was puzzled by the warped seat stay rather than the typical fluted one. With that and integral seat binder & threaded rear brake bridge these are all shop features. Reg Collar moved to the shop in 1958 to build he factory specials so my assumption is this is one of the early ones to be built. Both go well and get regular use, I will change the 27" rims on the Zephyr, as the wheels need a bit of attention, to get better tyre choice and use them on another project in the future.

djkashuba 

Just picked this Special up. I threw on a set of bars that fit better than the as bought Sakae Customs but the rest is as purchased. Eclectic. Suntour Superbe, Campagnolo (50T big ring), Phil hubs on 27 inch Arayas, . Space for very large tires. 650B potential. I usually ride French-ish fit. This will be something new. Longer stem to come.

-D


Holdsworth Special by djk762, on Flickr


Holdsworth Special by djk762, on Flickr

Bochan

Nice !

Graculus

I have a mid-70s Holdsworth Mistral frame and quite a few original parts that I want to restore. The paint is not in bad condition for its age but there are chips rust spots. Any recommendations for repainting in the UK?

sced

There is some info here on cleaning up rust before touching up paint https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...l#post22108637

One source for a complete repaint in the UK https://www.merciancycles.co.uk/renovations/
.....undoubtedly there are more. You might want to start a new thread

Graculus

Very helpful, sced. Thanks so much.

djkashuba 

Getting her dialed. Favorite parts in the parts bin build.



Holdsworth Special by djk762, on Flickr


Holdsworth Special, Sun Tour, TA by djk762, on Flickr


Holdsworth Special, Sun Tour, TA, Ruth Works by djk762, on Flickr


Holdsworth Special, Ruth Works by djk762, on Flickr

Wildwood 

Always nice to see a black Special from Holdsworthy!
This one from 1980. Via Ireland.

Refurb almost complete.

Aardwolf

1982 Holdsworth Avanti (531 tube, 56cm)
Found it on Ebay a couple of months back and 3 miles from me, I bought the same model new in 1983 but I haven't had a bike for about 30 years

Completely original except for the rims and hubs: Mavic Monthlery Route (tubular) instead of Super Champion 58 (clincher).
A few minor spots of rust but I managed to free up everything and It's now got new cables, new Tufo 700c 24mm tubulars, and nos Schwinn bar tape.

I've been on one shakedown ride so far and it nearly killed me - 6.5 miles in 28C heat and I hadn't been on a bike for 30 years.
30 years back I used to cycle 10 miles to the pub and back home afterwards

Bellet

That is one pretty bike.