Dheorl

I know ultimately no-one can tell me what to do with my stuff, but I'm merely curious as to what approach you guys would take in this situation.

A fair few years ago my father passed away and I obviously ended up with some of his stuff, among which was a vintage bike. It came to me because out of all the children I'm the only one really into cycling, and I have a lot of fond memories with the bike as I was growing up.

It's an old Holdsworth from the 50's I think. Town style bike, 10 speed, flat bars, down tube shifters etc. Very comfortable bike to ride. I don't intend on ever using it as a day to day bike, I have plenty of other bikes for that where I wouldn't cry (as much) if they were stolen. I'd like to mount it on a wall, take it out for a gentle potter on the occasional sunny Sunday and cherish it.

The thing is though I'm not sure what state I want it in tbh. The paint is a bit chipped atm in places, and a lot of the stickers are partially missing. Gearing doesn't run badly but not perfect. Brakes are a bit clunky. To what extent would you remedy this? As people who obviously have a passion for older bikes, would you rather see such a bike left as is, would you change out all the cables etc, or would you go so far as to completely strip it down, repaint it, get new stickers and basically make it as new?

As I'd like it hanging on a wall I'm tempted by the last option, but I don't want to ruin the "integrity" of the bike. Just wondering what you guys would do if you were in my position.

Roll-Monroe-Co

I'm not qualified to comment on this, but I'll just volunteer that the retrogrouches get substantially more helpful and friendly when you post large, clear, drive-side photos of your 50's Holdsworth.

USAZorro

To each their own, obviously, but I'd be inclined to clean it up, tune it up, take it for an "honor ride", and then make a display of it as-is. Clearly it's something your father cherished, and the closer it is to the state you recall him riding it in, the more it will remind you of him.

thumpism 

If it reminds you of your dad and you want to keep it, get it mechanically sound and working smoothly but leave it alone cosmetically. You can always restore it later, and repeatedly, but it's only original once.


My dad was a fisherman so I was not faced with this dilemma.

bikemig 

+ 1. The bike needs an overhaul and consumables need to be replaced but I wouldn't touch it cosmetically other than to deal with any potential rust issues. The bike will look good once it's been cleaned and polished; the scars are part of the story of the bike.

bikemig 

Also you can post a build thread on C&V. Put up a lot of pics and outline your plans. You'll get a fair amount of advice (some of it even worthwhile, on how best to proceed.

Steve Whitlatch 

Another thread with no pictures? Oh my.

KonAaron Snake 

THis is how I'd do it...I'd get everything running nicely...change consumables as needed, repack bearings, etc., but I probably wouldn't repaint it or do anything major. Unless you want to.

As you already seem to understand, there is no wrong answer here, just what makes you happy.

bulldog1935

um, take pictures of it and let us see it?

CliffordK

Hmmm...

My brother ended up with Dad's bike, so I don't have to face that dilemma. Dad had swapped bars a couple of times and the originals got lost. But, they originally were drops, so if I had the bike, I'd put the drops back on.

I had thought about repainting it, but now I don't know. And my brother has it so it is up to him. But, I do ride my bikes... a lot.

I have thought about the future of my old Colnago. The paint has just gone bad over the years. Hopefully if the bike gets passed on sometime in the future, the recipient will keep it, but they may not really have any attachment to the decades of wear that I've put on the bike. It has a unique rustic appeal now, but it would also look pretty if painted, and restored to "original".

Dheorl

Sorry, it's unfortunately a bit buried in the garage atm (we're redecorating so a lot got shoved in there and I already have 3 bikes in the house) but I'll make sure I get some pics up when I get it out.

I may be slightly off on the 50's, but I'd be very interested to see if anyone could date it. I know it cost him £12 when he bought it.

Thanks for the advice so far, was sorta what I was leaning towards. The brakes are the bit that worries me the most tbh. I've grown used to modern v-brakes and discs, but I don't want to change components unless it's like for like. Will modern pads help with the performance of old brakes?

merziac

Short answer, probably. IMHO the key thing here is to realize that most any concerns you have can be mitigated one way or another. You may have to adjust your expectations in some cases, but there is usually a solution to any problem that you have or may arise. The depth of knowledge and help here is vast. You can do anything you want to with the correct amount of time, patience and of course $$$. All this being said, take a deep breath, keep asking questions and proceed with caution, most of all hang on to what you've got and make the most of it.

The Golden Boy 

If'n it were me- If Junior were to accept a bike of mine after I pass- I'd be happy he'd ride it, and I'd be happier if he'd ride it and not feel like a hobo riding it. I'd want him to fix it up to the point that he'd be cool with riding it where he wanted to ride it. Heck, I'd even be OK with him taking off the Command Shifters. I mean, I'd be dead, so I probably won't care at all... but if I were dead and cared, I'd be OK with it.

qcpmsame 

This thread I am linking to is about as thorough and professional as it gets when doing a C&V bicycle build, not saying you have to go to Realsteel's incredible level of detail when you get to your dad's old bike. Just what you can accomplish when you are really wanting to honor your dad, and all he means to you.

Realsteel's Holdsworth Build Thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...fessional.html

Good luck with your build, whatever you choose, please post a build thread when you get going.

Bill

NYMXer

I like the suggestions that include taking the bike for it's last ride and making it a part of your wall art just as your Dad rode the bike. In this form, it truly represents it as he used and enjoyed it.
I may not hang it in my living room or bedroom, but in a den or at least garage would seem appropriate. maybe even a picture of him either riding it or standing with it would complete the display.

jefnvk

Replace the consumables and use it as a special ride bike. Take it out for fun rides on nice days/

My dad would be less than happy if he left me stuff and I didn't use it.

Dheorl

It will definitely go on the wall, likely in a bedroom tbh, but then again I was considering having one wall of my bedroom clad in salvaged corrugated metal so I possibly don't have the most normal tastes. I feel it would be a shame to never ride it though, so like I say, will be taking it out for the occasional ride. Unfortunately pictures of my father in general is something I'm rather short on, he was always the man behind the camera and passed before I was old enough to take over that role, although I do like the idea of having one of him next to it. It's definitely the possession of his that has most of him still in it if that makes sense. He rode alongside me on it when I first started, he used it as an escape when life got too much, he loved his bike in the same way I love mine.

I went and had a look at it earlier. Although the decals are worn they are still definitely identifiable. I think I definitely need to at least give the frame a clear coat to prevent rust though.

Looking at it, it is a Mystique, which seemingly was made as a drop bar bike. I know the fenders are definitely not what it came with, and I'm inclined to try and get some more suitable ones, and I'm also not sure about the saddle. Does anyone know if any flat bar versions of the Mystique were made, or is this an alteration my father likely did at some point?

bikingshearer 

Probably. Modern pads can take older brakes (and older brake designs) that feel downright dangerous and make them acceptable, although they will never stop as well as modern dual-pivots.

Darth Lefty 

Consider if it was really as meaningful to him as it is to you... we had an ancient upright grand piano, late 19th century, my Mom got it from her father in the 50's I guess, and me and my sister learned to play on it. We didn't have a place for it and it broke our hearts, but it turned out to her, it was just an old piece of junk with *****-tonk cigarette stains and a third pedal that had never worked, that never sounded good and needed to be polished.

AlexCyclistRoch

What, now they word "h_o_n_k_y" is a swear word????

Big Block

photos would greatly assist.
Do any other members of the family recall when it was purchased?
and the frame number would place it in the evolving Holdsworth frame number timeline

The first time Mystique appears on the excellent Holdsworth vintage resource site is 1978
Holdsworth Bicycles then use the 'models' tab to search for that model name

then go to the page 1978 Catalogue

Dheorl

The amount he rode it, it likely was. And tbh either way it's meaningful to me because of the times we spent together that involved that bike. He'd even have a crack at the little off-road trails with me, knowing full well he'd have to retune his wheels when he got home.

Dheorl

Unfortunately not. I had the impression he bought it as a teenager, but having been born in the war, if the earliest model was 1978 clearly I misunderstood something there. Best guess in that case is he bought it upon returning from america, might be able to narrow it down a bit.

repechage

In GB there is a long tradition of upgrading a frame over time to satisfy an owners upgrading, changing needs and pocketbook. Even respraying.

CliffordK

I've never really thought of my old bike as "vintage". It just became older as I got older.

I bought it as a used bike just before my 16th birthday, and have ridden it hard ever since.

It is old enough that it is quite possible old Ernesto Colnago brazed it together himself. Nonetheless, I'm sure he intended it to be a premier racing bike. But those times are long gone, and perhaps seeing the paint worn off, a rack tied to the back, and it pulling a cargo trailer would at first bring a groan, but maybe a little smile at the thought that the bike hasn't been sent to the crusher, nor has it been stuck on a wall somewhere. It has been hitting the road regularly for nearly a half century.

Anyway, from the OP's description, it sounds like his father also rode the bike as a bicycle, and not as a precious antique.

Now that I'm slowly modernizing, I've been a little stuck with what to do with my old bike.

I'm now planning my next multi-day self-supporting bike camping trip this fall, and I have my eyes on the old steel beast. My new Carbon wonder-bike just doesn't seem like the right bike for the task. I still have to confirm the road surfaces over a pass, but if the roads are good, and the weather is good... the old Colnago will be outfitted with panniers, and head out once again.

It is also my backup bike, and is being used until I get a replacement spoke for my other bike. It even went out as a "loaner" a few weeks ago.

Anyway, one thought for the OP's old Holdsworth is to outfit it as a touring bike. Possibly rebuild it to fit the OP's touring needs. So, once in a while it will go out for multi-day rides. And keep it ready to ride in case other needs crop up.