Restoring a 1973 Holdsworth Professional
05-08-16, 02:13 PM
#201
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I am going to be contrarian regarding some of the assembly details. While the paint and chrime touch up is very worthy of note. The only band clamps that a case can be made in my book to line with plastic or cloth tape would be at the waterbottle. Many have sharp edges. Elsewhere, I have observed more issues than benefits, some touched on by others. The superglue on fastener threads is another.
Overall the bike appears quite handsome.
Overall the bike appears quite handsome.
05-08-16, 02:21 PM
#202
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05-08-16, 02:28 PM
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Here's another nit pick..beautiful bike but it's not in my shed and it's a little too big but I've got a torch and can fix that. Great build and how informational your thread is. Enjoy the fruits of your labor now. Your room in the pics is pretty impressive and your collection of parts.
05-08-16, 02:37 PM
#204
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+1! and I'll take a guess at the crop: mustard...being a European variety slightly different to the plant we see a LOT of in California where wild mustard grows like a weed (cause it is).
I really like the small touches like the blue bell, straps and water bottle (almost bought one of those but both my Holdsworths are the "wrong color", not Pros).
If you want to take it to the limit (over OVER the limit) there are: colored valve caps, anodized cable crimp caps, strap buttons (I would say those are very sensible) even alloy anodized spoke nipples (I would say the opposite of those) and lastly alloy pulleys for the RD, but these days the only color seems to be red so that's out, but in the '80s you could have found blue or orange. Still, some restraint might be called for as this sort of fussy customizing can spin out of control...don't ask me how I know!
I really like the small touches like the blue bell, straps and water bottle (almost bought one of those but both my Holdsworths are the "wrong color", not Pros).
If you want to take it to the limit (over OVER the limit) there are: colored valve caps, anodized cable crimp caps, strap buttons (I would say those are very sensible) even alloy anodized spoke nipples (I would say the opposite of those) and lastly alloy pulleys for the RD, but these days the only color seems to be red so that's out, but in the '80s you could have found blue or orange. Still, some restraint might be called for as this sort of fussy customizing can spin out of control...don't ask me how I know!
05-11-16, 06:10 AM
#205
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I'm not sure which I liked better. The bicycle, or your photography of the restoration. Either way, a beautiful bike and restoration.
05-11-16, 07:01 AM
#206
South Carolina Ed
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I've have enjoyed a 73 Holdsworth Super Mistral Fastback that was custom made for me in 1973, and did a less involved redo some years ago. I have enjoyed this thread as much as any ever on BF and think the job turned out to be totally amazing. I didn't think I'd like that cheap crank since the Record crank is in my mind about the most beautiful bike part of all time, but it looks damn good. I was also humored by the pics in the meadow since such gentility is at odds with the uncompromised sporting functionality of the Holdsworth Professional, but hey, we're all codgers already or at least headed that way.
Last edited by sced; 05-11-16 at 08:01 AM.
05-11-16, 11:17 AM
#207
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The bike looks clean enough to eat off.
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05-11-16, 11:20 AM
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I tried use components which would have been around in 1973. The valve caps are vintage and brass, the crimps are just plain aluminium, and I think '70s bike mechanics would have rolled their eyes at anodized spoke nipples! I am giving this helmet some serious consideration though:
Regarding the helmet... i just got the Specialized "airnet" I love the nod to vintage aesthetic and got the flat black version. Really it's a great fitting helmet for my head and that's why I bought it, but I get a kick out of the nod to the helmet's origin and I think it won't look terrible aboard my vintage steel.
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1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
05-11-16, 01:07 PM
#209
South Carolina Ed
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That helmet is $270 - yikes!
cheaper version
91908 SAHOO Bike Bicycle Helmet Capacete Ciclismo Casco Bicicleta Casque Mountain Road Cycling Helmet (Blue+Orange)
cheaper version
91908 SAHOO Bike Bicycle Helmet Capacete Ciclismo Casco Bicicleta Casque Mountain Road Cycling Helmet (Blue+Orange)
05-11-16, 05:01 PM
#211
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I've have enjoyed a 73 Holdsworth Super Mistral Fastback that was custom made for me in 1973, and did a less involved redo some years ago. I have enjoyed this thread as much as any ever on BF and think the job turned out to be totally amazing. I didn't think I'd like that cheap crank since the Record crank is in my mind about the most beautiful bike part of all time, but it looks damn good. I was also humored by the pics in the meadow since such gentility is at odds with the uncompromised sporting functionality of the Holdsworth Professional, but hey, we're all codgers already or at least headed that way.
Glad you enjoyed the thread - I liked making it and the feedback was very helpful for getting the build correct.
The Campy Sport cranks were (as you say) mid-range, but I think they are very elegant, even more so than Nuovo Record cranks. They are not cheap either: fetching among the highest prices for any vintage Campy cranks. I've also read that they turned out to be more expensive for Campagnolo to produce than the alloy variety because of the precise machining required for the square taper hole.
05-11-16, 05:03 PM
#212
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That helmet is $270 - yikes!
cheaper version
91908 SAHOO Bike Bicycle Helmet Capacete Ciclismo Casco Bicicleta Casque Mountain Road Cycling Helmet (Blue+Orange)
cheaper version
91908 SAHOO Bike Bicycle Helmet Capacete Ciclismo Casco Bicicleta Casque Mountain Road Cycling Helmet (Blue+Orange)
05-11-16, 05:09 PM
#213
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The bike is beautiful, the attention to detail is amazing.
Regarding the helmet... i just got the Specialized "airnet" I love the nod to vintage aesthetic and got the flat black version. Really it's a great fitting helmet for my head and that's why I bought it, but I get a kick out of the nod to the helmet's origin and I think it won't look terrible aboard my vintage steel.
Regarding the helmet... i just got the Specialized "airnet" I love the nod to vintage aesthetic and got the flat black version. Really it's a great fitting helmet for my head and that's why I bought it, but I get a kick out of the nod to the helmet's origin and I think it won't look terrible aboard my vintage steel.
Also, thanks for the Specialized Airnet recommendation: it does look rather like a hairnet but with proper protection. It's surprisingly hard to find a vintage style helmet which looks good.
05-12-16, 06:53 AM
#214
South Carolina Ed
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The Super Mistral Fastback is one good looking frame; I had resolved to get a Mistral, preferably a Fastback, if I couldn't find a professional. Is yours in the team colours?
Glad you enjoyed the thread - I liked making it and the feedback was very helpful for getting the build correct.
The Campy Sport cranks were (as you say) mid-range, but I think they are very elegant, even more so than Nuovo Record cranks. They are not cheap either: fetching among the highest prices for any vintage Campy cranks. I've also read that they turned out to be more expensive for Campagnolo to produce than the alloy variety because of the precise machining required for the square taper hole.
Glad you enjoyed the thread - I liked making it and the feedback was very helpful for getting the build correct.
The Campy Sport cranks were (as you say) mid-range, but I think they are very elegant, even more so than Nuovo Record cranks. They are not cheap either: fetching among the highest prices for any vintage Campy cranks. I've also read that they turned out to be more expensive for Campagnolo to produce than the alloy variety because of the precise machining required for the square taper hole.
With your talent you could easily spray any helmet in the Holdsworth Team colors. Rustoleum makes spray cans in the requisite colors.
Latest of 4 re-paints of my bike.
05-12-16, 07:10 AM
#215
South Carolina Ed
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05-12-16, 07:26 AM
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Just think: both our frames may have been in the same room at the same time in 1973. Mine was factory-made and has serial number 37239. Is yours close?
05-12-16, 07:42 AM
#217
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That is lovely! In fact, I think it is of the pictures that inspired me to find an orange Holdsworth in the first place: I've certainly seen it before.
Just think: both our frames may have been in the same room at the same time in 1973. Mine was factory-made and has serial number 37239. Is yours close?
Just think: both our frames may have been in the same room at the same time in 1973. Mine was factory-made and has serial number 37239. Is yours close?
05-12-16, 07:59 AM
#218
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Mine is #69559 . I think I once read that customs were numbered differently.
I had to infer the date of mine from a fit to all the serial number data I could find: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...l#post18723467
05-12-16, 11:39 AM
#220
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That is lovely! In fact, I think it is of the pictures that inspired me to find an orange Holdsworth in the first place: I've certainly seen it before.
Just think: both our frames may have been in the same room at the same time in 1973. Mine was factory-made and has serial number 37239. Is yours close?
Just think: both our frames may have been in the same room at the same time in 1973. Mine was factory-made and has serial number 37239. Is yours close?
06-15-16, 02:59 PM
#221
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I've been through this whole thread 3 times in the last few months. Still in awe of the attention to detail and the love that was put in to this build. Gobsmacking. Thank you again for the diary @realsteel
06-15-16, 07:52 PM
#222
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I've been through this whole thread 3 times in the last few months. Still in awe of the attention to detail and the love that was put in to this build. Gobsmacking. Thank you again for the diary @realsteel
Bill
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Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
06-15-16, 08:03 PM
#223
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Beauty
