Zoomyflyingscot

Hi Folks, my first posting here....forgive me if I screw this up. I'm after a bit of inside knowledge on my dads old Holdsworth. It was the bike that got me into cycling as a youngster in the 1970s. It was given a respray for my 14th birthday....a long time ago. The frame and forks both match serial no 16365 and it has the original old type head badge, only one gear change braze on, the seat stays are pencil thin with some nice detail at the top. I remember it being quite a cool bike as a kid, B17 saddle, campag gears and quite fancy handle bars and I also remember dad using it to commute to work in Glasgow. It was originally a shade of maroon and had the hand written script holdsworth decals. I'd really love to know the model and year. It's soon to be given a new lease of life.....I have a youngster in mind who might be inspired by Papas old bike!


.....now how do I show you a picture on from my iPad?

sced

It goes impossibly beyond those ho-hum grail bikes folks are always talking about. Have a great time with her.

BurtReynolds531

Thank you. Luckily Bob Addy was a tall rider but his frames are few and far between. (He fell out with Roy Thame) You can find frames associated with Les West but he was a vertically challenged chap!!

auchencrow

Welcome to C&V!
Sorry I can't help with the iPad or model name - The best I can do on the year is estimate late 40's/early 50's based on the bb grease fitting and aluminum"Worthy" headbadge (ref. Velobase).
The "script" decals elude me - I don't recall seeing a Holdworth with them.

I'd say some lucky youngster is about to have his mind blown by papa's old bike! Very nice, Zoomy.

Zoomyflyingscot

Thanks Auchen, my dad was a bit vague about when he bought the bike, he couldn't narrow down a time in the 50's or 60's but I can't really fault him for that, it's been a while. The more I look at this frame the more tiny details I'm coming across. Underneath the fork crown is a pretty rough stamped serial it looks like 147 PN. The fork also has a very clear number matching the frame. The bottom bracket shell also has a stamping near the grease fitting, it looks something like RG but its obscured by paint. And as far as sourcing vintage parts, that looks like a bit of an adventure! The front fork spacing is 95mm and the rear 105mm....I've never come across those dimensions before! I'll keep my fingers crossed someone comes up with the goods and please keep a lookout later in the summer for a sparkling frame picture.


all the best and thanks for my first reply
l
ZFS

BurtReynolds531

Hello,
The model is a Cyclone. Early to mid fifties. Lovely! Strange to see the serial number on the drive side?! Then again none of these 'pointers' are set in stone.

Zoomyflyingscot

Thanks Burt,

I've been wondering what model was for some time now. Can you tell me please what feature indicates that it is a Cyclone, at various times Ive identified it as every model Holdsworth manufactured! I've never quite convinced myself, if you can positively ID it as a cyclone I'll be absolutely delighted. You mentioned the serial number on the drive side, is that unusual?

The headset and chain set have been removed since the photographs were taken and quite remarkably the Williams Chain ring has cleaned up so well that it's definitely going to be refitted, a little bit of chrome loss as would be expected but not too serious.

thanks for the info and your time Burt


ZFS

BurtReynolds531

The lug shape is always a good indicator. The Cyclone de Luxe had a similar pattern but different shaping on the headtube. I trust you're aware of the Norman Kilgariff site? It's very, very good. I've not owned a Cyclone, I've done well with other models (La Quelda, Tornado, Monsoon, Mistral, Hurricane, Elan) and currently ride a Zephyr and the 1967 Team Pro that is featured on here. Nothing ever is scripted though. All Holdsworth's were hand built (Claud Butler had machines and gadgets!) and chaps beings chaps were liable to do the odd thing different from the catalogue. Hence your serial stamping. Holdsworth also did things differently if a customer requested such, as did many builders. Roger Armstrong is the marque specialist for the VCC and doesn't mind the odd non-member enquiry. If you send the photos and information that you have to him, you'll get a much better answer than I can give.
Do let us Holdsworth anoraks know your findings! All the best.

Zoomyflyingscot

Thank Burt,

that's the little bit of magic info I've been looking for....I've used Normans holdsworth web page and I have to admit to becoming a loud and proud Holdsworth Anorak! Its all absolutely facinating! I'll definitely keep you posted,


Watch this space!

ZFS

sced

$5k Holdsworth here. What's your verdict?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/used-Rare-Vi...item1c336703ed

BurtReynolds531

A trifle pricey perhaps?! It's true you don't see a Cyclone de Luxe for auction that often but that is some start price. Even for an alleged Bill Hurlow build!
It's a personal thing but I find that a complete restoration, all singing, all dancing does make for a plastic looking bicycle. Removes some of the 'soul'.
I do love the headbadge though...

sced

I agree that some patina on a historic piece like that makes it a lot more, well, historic. Maybe it was a basket case so a redo was the only option. A few years ago I saw wheel covers like those on Ebay and think they went for about $70. I'm wondering if they're one and the same.

BurtReynolds531

I have a set from the Holdsworth (Putney/Penge) shop not the Holdsworthy factory that I'm debating putting on eBay. Brod gave them to me when I bought the Bob Addy bike but I can't think when I'll ever use them...
I must say I'd love to own a Cyclone de Luxe, far prettier than the later Whirlwind I think.

BurtReynolds531

A beautiful bicycle by the way. How do the fastbacks ride, are they a little stiffer, more direct? Is it still being ridden??

sced

Thanks. They were supposed to be stiffer plus a little weight savings, but I don't have anything contemporaneous to compare it to. My next oldest bike is a 93 Viner with ovalized nivacrome tubes and fastback stays that is noticeably stiffer and tracks better - progress.

BurtReynolds531

Having just seen this frame on Hilary Stone's website, maybe the serial number stamping on the drive side was a Cyclone thing?!?!
https://hilarystone.com/images/sale%2...th-Cyclone.jpg

unworthy1

if any of the Holdsworths Anoraks (Burt, ZFS) have gotten a grasp of the mysteries of the Holdsworth(y) serial numbering system, please do share it!

There was one of our fellows (Skip M.) on this forum who'd started compiling a database of serial numbers, but he's no longer active, and he never got far enough along to break the code.

chewa

Here's mine. A Mistral - mid 80's I think. I use it as a fixed/single with a flip flop hub.

Hand built (by me) wheels (700c rather than 27"), with Alhonga deep drop brakes.

Two brakes because I can use it as a single speed.

SKS guards. I can't remember what chainset it is. Now has a honey Brooks B17 on it.

Paintwork is not brilliant, but it rides beautifully (like my other 531 frames).

John

trgz

@AZORCH
I never realised that the Blue I had my (now demised) Mistral powder-coated back in '93 was so close to that - lovely colour (and almost identical to my Thorn). Just got another Mistral frame today and will be aiming for the classic Orange/Blue once I've got it re-built.

Exmoormann

https://jeffdownes6666.blogspot.co.uk

sced

Sad about the shop. As for the Cyclone, I can see this is going to be really good. Great color combination. Keep going!

Didn't that Professional get picked up by a BF member?

Vonruden

My winter Project

Giacomo 1 

Very pretty!

What are your plans for her?

Vonruden

One gear for now. I did some work with some parts I had laying around. I have plans for some fenders, as it will be my inclement weather rider.

Exmoormann

Hi Guys

We are moving on!

Jeffrey

https://jeffdownes6666.blogspot.co.uk