hope someone here can help. A friend has given me a Holdsworth Mistral frame - red and white, metal head badge. Has Campag ends and is 531 butted throughout.

Any idea of age?. I think early to mid 70's as is serial number 48600

Should have said the seat tube badge is the prancing horse with "WORTHY" across the top

Also, what's the best way to remove the paint, I was thinking of bead blasting if I can find decals.

Thanks for the help.

Holdworth catalogues to check specs and design, and frame dating guidance available at https://homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgariff/


Decals for Holdsworth available from Nick; see listings at
https://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...YDS/decals.htm

Hope this helps...

Thanks for the links - I also think the style of 531 badge can give a clue.

Skip Magnussen (SP?) who posts here may be able to help you with that serial number, he is compiling a database of Holdsworth SNs. I hear that Norm doesn't have the time to answer those questions anymore. I have a Super Mistral that I run as a 6-speed commuter, not sure of the year though...a fine bike!

I think it will be nice to have an English frame to go with my Scot and my Italian (Cinelli)!!

I retailed Holdsworth frames for a while in New England from about 1978 through 1982. I remember selling the Mistral during that time-specs sound just like the ones I sold. They were OK quality -not the best but not the worst. The paint jobs left much to be desired and did tend to flake off- not a positive selling feature for a $US 400 frameset.

I have a 1973 Super Mistral that was custom made for me as a Xmas gift from my parents when I was 16. Holdsworth was a very distinguished brand in the 70's and with Campagnolo sponsored a leading pro team for a number of years. Holdworth was the Campy distributor in the UK for a time. I have repainted my bike myself several times, most recently in the team orange and blue. I use paint stripper and steel wool to strip the frame. Treat the metal head badge respectfully as it adds much to the frame aesthetics.

Thanks for the info. I aim to take it off (pop rivets) and replace after refinishing.

Just a pity the Tange headset is so badly corroded - I'm sure it won't polish up. I have a nice pair of 32 hole large flange Campag Record hubs with 126mm rear - which might suit nicely! (At least for only lightweight day touring)

My 1970's Mistral has Campy Rally gear. 54/39 up front with 6 speed cluster in back. So it's a 12 speed. I want to go to about at least 18 speed and preferably 21 speed. What's the best way... cold stretching rear frame to 130mm ? find a Campy triple chainwheel ? or both ? BB width would also be an issue I guess. Any suggestions/ideas appreciated.

Thanks. cankiwi6@telus.net

You can put a 7spd freewheel on it and a triple in front. No need to cold set but you may need to manually spread the dropouts a bit to mount the wheel. You may also have to use a longer rear axle + spacer. If you simply want a wider range, the Rally should handle a 6spd with more teeth and you can also mount a modern compact crank such as

https://cgi.ebay.com/Campagnolo-Veloc...item2a067dbaf2