My old Holdsworth; sell or restore?

two wheels good

Hello
I'm seeking some advice and an impartial view of my old Holdsworth - now looking very sad.
I've had it since the model was current. My plan was to restore it, getting the professionals to sand-blast and paint it.

Now I have a house move looming. Should I be practical, less sentimental and let it go? If so, what's it worth in its current condition?

Alternatively, what cost would be involved in having:
- the frame professionaly restored. Is there a specialist in Ireland for this job?
- cost of "period" components. What would be suitable?

Originally supplied by Hardings, Cork. The transfers are still on the frame and front mudguard.
Simplex gears. The rear deraillier is in a box somewhere with the original bars
Cinelli saddle (bloody hard!), Wineman and Mafac brakes
Original Mavics stolen\damaged. Wheels (Rigida) and sprockets in the photo were a cheap stop-gap from another bike.
Forks say 531 but not the frame. How can I tell if the frame is 531?

Any useful info or suggestions very welcome. Thanks.

Weepsie

Planet x uk bought the Holdsworth brand and produce stuff under it. You could replace parts through them, or you could see if they'd be willing to sponsor and restoration. Maybe they'd even buy it.

RobFowl

My own take on that is that the Frame is probably not 531. There is no rear dropout and the front mech looks like the cheap simplex ones on a bike I had in the mid 80's. The forks have that lamp bracket fitting too and the reach on the brakes make it look like it was made for 27" wheels rather than 700c.
Other than that it looks like a nice enough frame probably designed as a commuter/touring one

In terms of value it doesn't really have a substantial monetary one but if it has sentimental value might be worth doing. IMO it's the sort of bike you'll probably get €50 for on a good day. Sorry.

Esroh

url]http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=362572&hilit=holdsworths&start=50[/url]

All about a Holdsworth Frame Number Database. if anyone can help these guys will.

Kaisr Sose

If you have it from new, there is a good chance the frame and fork are 531.Does it feel light? If so, it's definitely worth more than 50 as is. It's nice to see the old centre pull brakes and it would be great if you restored it. Word of caution though. The seat post and stem could be seized and difficult to get out (have to be cut out)!

outfox

If you have the space, hang onto it (unless you're in dire need of €50). You don't need to get it restored straightaway. If you sell it, you might regret it. I know I regret selling my 1988 Raleigh Grand Prix.
Re restoration, a thorough frame job including repsray might cost around €3-400, assuming no rust issues. The sky's the limit when it comes to refitting components.

Thud

outfox wrote: »

a thorough frame job including repsray might cost around €3-400, assuming no rust issues. The sky's the limit when it comes to refitting components.

If you are doing it up to sell it you are unlikely to cover the cost of a respray and missing parts, if for personal/sentimental reasons and plan to keep it may be worth it to you

two wheels good

Thanks everyone . That's all very useful.

Yes, originally 27in wheels, lovely Mavics.
It hadn't occurred to me check the frame number, or that it was possible to do so.
Yes, it does feel light - compared to a Dawes Horizon with rack and panniers that is! I should weigh the frame out of curiousity.

€300+ doesn't surprise me I suppose. Even if I did some of the prep myself any cost reduction might be small. Then the cost of components...yikes!
No serious rust problems obvious to my untrained eye. It seems surprising how well the exposed metal has held up.

Good to see the Holdsworth name still alive. Planet X seem to have a lot of price reductions on some parts.

The seat post bolt is loosened but I'm going out now to check if the post is seized.

BTW Speaking of Raleigh - great documentary on BBC4 the other night about the company's history. They'll probably repeat it.

boardbeer

two wheels good wrote: »

BTW Speaking of Raleigh - great documentary on BBC4 the other night about the company's history. They'll probably repeat it.

As is the fate of all those who fail to learn from history.

Kaisr Sose

Seen the Raliegh doc. Good that the brand and jersey are still alive!

boardbeer

Is this the documentary: Pedalling Dreams: The Raleigh Story ?

Eamonnator

boardbeer wrote: »

Is this the documentary: Pedalling Dreams: The Raleigh Story ?

yep.

two wheels good

Esroh wrote: »

url]http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=362572&hilit=holdsworths&start=50[/url]

All about a Holdsworth Frame Number Database. if anyone can help these guys will.

My frame number is identified as made in 1978. No additional information recorded. I'll take a closer look at the thread later.

BTW But here's an interesting snippet from one poster in Halifax, Nova Scotia that mentions a Cork connection. I didn't know Hardings were international, or the connection to Holdsworth.

"In our searching, Harding has been found to be one of the shops that is known to have ordered frames from Holdsworthy both being sold as Holdsworths but often being rebranded with the Harding name. There are several Harding Pro's and other higher end frames as the Special that have popped up with the Harding name on it. I believe there was/is a Harding shop in Cork area as well. One of the Harding brothers had a shop in California and Hardings do surface in that area. "

Esroh

two wheels good wrote: »

My frame number is identified as made in 1978. No additional information recorded. I'll take a closer look at the thread later.

BTW But here's an interesting snippet from one poster in Halifax, Nova Scotia that mentions a Cork connection. I didn't know Hardings were international, or the connection to Holdsworth.

"In our searching, Harding has been found to be one of the shops that is known to have ordered frames from Holdsworthy both being sold as Holdsworths but often being rebranded with the Harding name. There are several Harding Pro's and other higher end frames as the Special that have popped up with the Harding name on it. I believe there was/is a Harding shop in Cork area as well. One of the Harding brothers had a shop in California and Hardings do surface in that area. "

Google says
Mr Harding had been a bike builder in uk before returning home to Cork. Maybe he had worked for Holdsworth.

two wheels good

Hello again
I've decided to part with my Holdsworth frame. Thanks for the frank appraisal of its value.
I want to flog the following parts too and make the clearout as painless as possible. What do people think these would be worth?

Pair of 700 Wheels . True, but some wear spots on rims. Worst one photo'ed
Saddles: Original Cinelli that came with the bike.
Two old brookes saddles in fair condition
Some original components: Wineman brakes, seat post, front carrier.

Many thanks.

hesker

two wheels good wrote: »

Hello again
I've decided to part with my Holdsworth frame. Thanks for the frank appraisal of its value.
I want to flog the following parts too and make the clearout as painless as possible. What do people think these would be worth?

Pair of 700 Wheels . True, but some wear spots on rims. Worst one photo'ed
Saddles: Original Cinelli that came with the bike.
Two old brookes saddles in fair condition
Some original components: Wineman brakes, seat post, front carrier.

Many thanks.

Don't think you'll get a whole lot to be honest. Maybe about 100 euro for the lot. Two of the Brooks saddles look to have sagged badly.
I would offer 20 for the cinelli saddle but only if I could see it first hand.

EBay is a good guide to what you might get but you have to know exactly what you're comparing against plus you have to allow for fees

It was mentioned earlier that the frame has no rear dropout. I think they meant to say it has no derailleur hanger. This does not mean that the frame is not 531 as there were plenty of frames made in the early days without derailleur hangers. At a quick glance you might get 100 for the frame but it would take a bit more detective work to get a proper appraisal.

two wheels good

Thanks Hesker
I did some research on ebay but it was inconclusive - and time consuming. Boards collective wisdom will be more useful hopefully.

I'm a bit puzzled about the topic of derailleur hangers. It always had a derailleur attached, originally Simplex and then Shimano when I changed the wheels and cassette. Shouldn't be a problem to fit another. I should have another search in the parts box I think.

hesker

two wheels good wrote: »

Thanks Hesker
I did some research on ebay but it was inconclusive - and time consuming. Boards collective wisdom will be more useful hopefully.

I'm a bit puzzled about the topic of derailleur hangers. It always had a derailleur attached, originally Simplex and then Shimano when I changed the wheels and cassette. Shouldn't be a problem to fit another. I should have another search in the parts box I think.

Google the following terms

Claw derailleur
Stamped dropouts
Forged dropouts

It's hard to see from the photo but I think your rear dropouts are stamped which will require a claw type derailleur. This indicates the rear triangle (seat stays and chain stays) is probably of cheaper tubing. I think the 3 main tubes and the front fork is 531.
My guess (without doing a lot more research) is complete bike would make at most 200 on ebay and less outside of it.

Check out this site and you might find out which model you have. Click on the button on the left that is labelled "Models"

http://www.nkilgariff.com/

Take a look at the 1976 Equipe. Kind of similar but it has pump pegs on the top tube.