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Life has been a bit c$%p recently - hence my T5 for sale...
...but i have just received my Grandad's old Holdsworth that has been hanging upside down in my aunts garage for decades and today has been a good day!!
I know very little about it...can anyone have a look at the photos and enlighten me on an age/era, info on the parts, tips on sympathetic reinstating?
I am a MTBer from the 90s onwards and my old road bike knowledge is lacking!!
If i can remember how to stick photos on the thread I'll put one on!
Looks like something similar to one I used to have. Has it got any stickers on for Reynolds 531 etc?
In terms of parts, bit of a mix and match - Campag shifter (though any friction shifter will obviously shift an makers rear mech), Shimano rear mech.
Wheels likely to be 27" and nearrower hub width than more model equivalents (though steel frames normally bend enough to get a 130mm OLD hub in if you're looking to upgrade.
I’d be tempted to ride that almost as is, what a lovely memory. i ride two of my late dad's bikes (admittedly more modern).
New cables, grease the bearings, borrow some 700c wheels to see if that’s a goer (looks like it would be) - but the first thing I’d do it check the seat post isn’t seized solid - unless you’re the same height as Grandad!
Thats a "survivor" bike to me and IMO needs an"oily rag" restoration and thats all. Wheels likely to be 27 x 1 3/8 or something like that. I wouldn't change to 700c even if they fit which I doubt
clean. oil and ride it
Looks like a nice frame with hand-cut, curly lugs etc. and would indicate it would be Reynolds 531 - you don’t go to the effort, cost of those lugs to join ‘gas pipe’ Judging by the frame angles / fork rake, components etc I would date it 1960s - Simplex derailleur, Campagnolo Record gear lever. The most valuable part is probably the seatpost if it hasn’t been chopped-off to a stump. The old Holdsworth shop was in Wandsworth and if you Google it suspect that someone still maintains the frame number register so you can find out when it was built etc. Get out the Autosol, Scotchbrite and you could make it shined again!
You can get 27" tires easily so just replace and go.
Do the tubes ping if you tap in the middle - double butted if they do. Tap along to the lugs and see if the tone changes. Keep as is please. It's beautifully original down to the mudguards. Colour is absolutely spot on too! I bought my Dawes Horizon in the Holdsworth shop as a student. Rode past it on the way to college daily.
Lovely patina on that as others have said just give it a sympathetic refurbishment & some leather cream on the saddle & new cables & potentially new tyres/bar tape or if in good condition just rewrap - maybe take mudguards/pannier rack off as they look modern
Enjoy 😊
All I can contribute is... ESGE mudguards from the early 80s on.
The old Holdsworth shop was in Wandsworth and if you Google it suspect that someone still maintains the frame number register so you can find out when it was built etc
Sure it wasn’t Putney?
I am certain it was on Lower Richmond Road, Putney (which is in Wandsworth Borough), as I cycled from Barnes to South Kensington past it each day.
Points in the direction of Retrobike. Road section. You'll get the answer you seek there and a whole shed load more info.
Then someone will try to sell you period bits for it 😉
My guess would be its late early 80s from the brake levers
I am certain it was on Lower Richmond Road, Putney (which is in Wandsworth Borough), as I cycled from Barnes to South Kensington past it each day.
It was just round the corner from Mr Benn's house, closed down a fair few years ago. That said the bike company and the shop separated at some point.
That is stunning. Clean it, service it, ride it, love it. Then buy some carradice bags (saddle bag and mahoosive bar bag) and use it for some multi day tours. Just enjoy it.
Huge thank you for all the replies, I'll report back more when I've got some spare time to have a better look at it and start tinkering.
I realise this isn't necessarily a STW type of bike, but it has two wheels and
Definitely only having an as is resto job with an oily rag and a bit of autosol to remove any corrosion.
Looking forward to tackling the brooks!
Mudguards coming off as the rear is broken anyway.
Quite like the racks!
And tyres are 27 X 1.25 Michelin world tour, will source something similar with new tubes.
Just looking forward to a little pootle round the lanes on it to a pub some time, creat some new memories with it 👌
Message from my father....
"He used to work at Lewisham cycle centre.
Got taken over by hinds the jewellers.
He then left and went to Holdsworth in crystal palace. They made the frames in the workshop and wholesale parts upstairs.
Campagolo consessioners."
There was also another blue Holdsworth that I believe got donated to his cycling club..
Gorgeous bike. No doubt high quality tubing to match the lugs and componenets etc. With the mudguards off there'll be room for some bigger tyres which could make it a lovely comfy cruiser.
That's well older than early 80's ... it pre-dates my Holdsworth I had in 1970.
Campag hubs, shifters, headset, seatpost
Fiamme bars
Weinmann centre pull brakes
Stronglight cranks
Can't see any decals to indicate frame material
Seatpost looks oily at the top so will probably come out
Shimano 500 rear mech was probably added afterwards - it's non-indexed shifting so mech and levers can be any mix
I'd be taking it to bits and rebuilding it if I was you.... NICE
One by gears!!
Put a post on Pankhurst Cycles. Rikki, the owner, aside from being a great guy, superb mechanic is also the knower of all things retro road bike and campag. He owns something like 50 retro road bikes and will likely be able to tell you the year, but also who built the wheels.
L'Eroica.
Probably a screw on cassette too
That's lovely and definitely earlier than 80's.
I'd be stripping it, cleaning it then enjoying lots of miles on it.
Ive got a bona fide 1976 Holdsworth Record in team colours (my dad bought it new in EG Bates Plaistow) and I am confident it predates that. There are a few identical components - brakes, levers, tyres etc and mine is all original Suntour 10 speed, slick as as a slick thing.
Currently Im running 700c Wolber alpine rims which gives you access to loads of quality tyres, although as has been said youll get 27's easy enough. I can go quite wide so rough stuff type trips are no problem
My tubing is 531 straight gauge ie not butted. It is super spindly and a joy to ride and also very light. Interestingly mine has no braze ons - all cable guides and fittings are band on. Personally I found things like the original narrow bars utterly ghastly so have sourced appropriate bars of more modern width.
Frame number is underneath the BB.
Get onto the retrobike thread.
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/forums/retro-classic-road.12/
Lots of dating of frames and identifying of models on there.
Regarding 27" tyres. I use Panracer on my vintage bikes, Nice tyre, long lasting.
Nice adaptor on the rear saddle rails to fix your Carradice saddlebag to.
Oily rag reso. (cloth soaked in WD 40, or Wurth ( https://eshop.wurth.co.uk/Product-categories/Multi-purpose-lubricant-Ultra-2040/31083008070902.cyid/3108.cgid/en/GB/GBP/?CampaignName=CS008&RecoId=categorytopseller%40categorypageA) Wire wool on chromed parts to remove the rust.
New tyres, lubicate cables, clean and repack grease in wheel bearings, BB maybe sealed Shimano, then ride it. You will be surprised by the comfort.
Enjoy.
Is this the spoke manufacturer?
https://www.speichen-spokes.de/en/Custom-made/Custom-made-spoke--clover-leaf----nipple--M4--swaged-spoke--stainless-steel.html
Thanks again for the replies!
Sneaked an hour on it today and detoured via Halfords (I know!) for some brake pads and inner tubes and autosol.
Neatsfoot oil ordered for saddle, my horsey friend says that's pretty good at rejuvenating old leather...
Tyres are too deformed/perished to be properly useful, so will order up some panaracers from sjs I reckon.
Just added a few more photos to the album.
Just had a quick look, that look fantastic. The front randonneur rack is a gem too. (I’ve been looking for one like that!)
Have been really enjoying a retro British audax/tourer these last few years, it has (quite surprisingly) been helping me through some tough times and continues to do so. Hope to chime in later when I’ve time to take a proper look at yr Holdsworth pics.
Neatsfoot oil ordered for saddle, my horsey friend says that’s pretty good at rejuvenating old leather…
I’d hold your horses on that before it’s too late to bolt the door!
Brooks Saddles are like hammocks, nothing like an equestrian saddle. They rely on the rigidity/fibres of the leather so they don’t sag, as nothing is supporting it underneath. I’m not entirely sure that neatsfoot would be the wrong thing, but I’d definitely get an opinion from Brooks first. Over-softening it will kill it.
Thanks for that, I'll do a bit more research on the brooks before potentially ruining it🙊
Neatsfoot oil was for softening. OK for breaking in if that's your thing - or wait until your bottom has broken. You need some Brooks proofide - or ordinary dubbin. If the saddle is sagging due to age, you can tighten it a little with the nut at the front. there is a special Brooks saddle spanner for that too.
Proofide in the basket at sjs along with the tyres! Been googling, but thank you for the confirmation 👌
Will try that first. It's certainly not saggy, it's surprisingly taught!
The saddle leather looks in pretty good shape for the age. Probably just some (a little goes a long way, don’t overdo it) Proofide, clean the chrome bits, rivets then call it good. Be cautious of tensioning it, especially if it’s old.
I use essentially the same saddle (Brooks Pro/Special) albeit a newer version. For me it’s a great saddle wouldn’t, change it for anything. You should be able to clean the green oxidation from the copper rivets with ketchup or vinegar/flour /salt paste, leave for half an hour then polish off with dry cloth. Maybe mask the leather off with some masking tape and apply the paste to the rivets with a cotton-bud.
If you’re not doing a strip and rebuild, maybe try rubbing scrunched-up tin foil on the chrome bits. It’s quite amazing what that can do.
Looks like it’s a 60s or even late 50s bike with some new bits added? The lugs look like Nervex Pro (?) like on the old Holdsworth Zephyrs?
This looks to be a worthy Holdsworth resource:
Wow! Holdsworth,Claud Butler and Freddie Grubb...the three bike makers I used to lust over in my teens back in the 60's.
L’Eroica
Good call, if spendy!
I have no knowledge to contribute at all, sorry. But that is glorious!😍😍😍
Few photos added to album...
Tyres arrived and fitted, though too dark for a "pretty picture" of whole bike with its new boots on, maybe today- maiden voyage for a pasty possibly 🤔
Only frame marking i can find is on the rear dropout.
@stanstorey When you put new photo's in your album, I get a notification on my phone and invited to add to it! You might want to check the permissions settings on the chum.
OP have you had the hubs apart yet? My old tourer could do with fresh bearings and grease-pack as they feel a little notch-y, and have no idea of their service history. It’s a chore that I oddly cherish am so looking forward to doing it slowly one quiet evening with a beer and chillinuts on standby. So much more satisfying than swapping a cartridge bearing IME (now distant).
Not quite at the point yet where I’m designing and forging a damascus-bladed multitool from recycled bearings, yet it’s an increasingly attractive thought. (Checks beard-length, oh…)
Enjoy yr pastyride!
*That seat came up like a shiny conker? lush.
Your Holdsworth looks lush - The comment above about coupling with a Carradice bag or two and going off for a multiday ride is bob on imo!
It looks perfect for sticking a flask in the Carridice and heading off on a long bimble taking in the scenery.
I was given my uncles old 1960's tourer that looked very similar. I didn't have shed space or time, so I gave it to my barber who was looking for a road pootling bike.
He's greased it, popped new tyres on, changed the cables, new saddle. It rides really smoothly, once you're past the narrowness and really awful brakes!
really awful brakes!
I used to have an old Post office bike with sloppy-jointed rod brakes. I reckon the ones on that old Holdsworth won't be so bad!
That takes me back to the 80s!
Some lovely frame lugs on that.
I'd be tempted to strip it and get the frame re-sprayed, would look amazing.