Hi folks,



I’ve just started a project that I’d like to share with you and possibly get some suggestions. First, a bit of history: It sat in the co-op where I volunteer for several months. The original plan was for one of the senior guys to refurbish it and sell as a vintage. After some discussion, it was decided that it wouldn’t fit with our customer base and it continued to sit. I picked it up for $100 late last year, although, it’s much too small for me.

I thought that the dear wife might like it, but she’s convinced she needs a step-thru frame. So, it’s turned into an interesting project.



According to the serial number (43318) it’s probably a 1975 Holdsworth. It doesn’t have a model label, but appears to be a Mistral. It has unlabelled forged dropouts/fork ends and the remnants of a Reynolds double butted 531 label. It’s set up as a tourer with a T-A triple CS (46-41-26), a weird semi-close ratio 5 speed (15-26), Campagnolo Rallye derailleurs, Suntour bars ends, Campagnolo headset, Universal Mod 61 center pulls, randonneur bars and so forth. Front hub is a Campagnolo Nuovo Record LF and the rear is Sunshine Pro-Am LF. These were laced to Super Champion 27 inchers. It’s small, 52cm ST & 53cm TT, both CTC.



Also, there are a few oddities. The only braze-on is a stop for the DT shifter clamp. The rim strips are the old rope style. It was equipped with Michelin Airstop tubes with the removal valve stem. The seat post is an early SR copy of the Campy two bolt. But, a nice sealed bearing BB. The date code on the front hub lock nut is 65. Could this be one of the evolutionary bikes where parts were changed or replaced as needed?



The bike appears to have been stored for an extremely long time. Much of the bearing grease was dried, the tires rotted and some surface rust. It seems to have been well taken care of when in use, but saw many miles. The frame has many paint chips and a few scrapes, but no dents or significant rust, plus the alignment is good. The decals are badly chipped. So far, I’ve stripped it down and cleaned/de-rusted the parts and polished some. During the cold weather, I got a front Sunshine Pro-Am hub to match the rear and built a new set of 700C wheels. Next step is to finish the rust removal on the frame, clean up the paint and do some touch up. I really don’t want to redo the paint or the decals as a tribute to the miles this bike has seen.



There’re a few things that I would like the members’ inputs on. 1. The Universal brakes are activated by a very nice set of Mafac road levers with Mafac embossed hoods. The hoods are a bit hardened, but are not cracked, torn and are cosmetically good looking. I was thinking of replacing the Universal calipers with Mafac Racers and after market pads. 2. I have a set of Suntour Vx-GT derailleurs and a set of Suntour Cyclone GT derailleurs. I’m thinking that either of these would function better and match the shifters. I’ve attached a picture of the frame set. Sorry, I’ve changed computers and can’t find my “before” pix.



Thanks and regards,



Van

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Hello Van,

Thanks very much for posting.

Agree it appears to be a Mistral.

You might consider contacting the mods to see if they will help you to put the Holdsworth name into the header.

This will bring you more readers with Holdsworth expertise.

Shall look forward to following along as the project develops...

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Sweet frame in my wife's size.

I like both your ideas. Mafacs are fine brakes. Universals look nice, but I have not had great success in setting them up to give me the stopping power I'd like to have. Either of those sets of derailleurs would be excellent choices, imo. I'd use the Cyclones if the gear range is less extreme - the Vx-GT if you decide on wide-range gearing.