Holdsworth Mistral restoration
 

I finally got my late 70's, early 80's Mistral bead blasted and have spent the last three weekends sanding,priming,sanding,priming (you sense a trend) :lol:?

I was originally going to do it again in red and white but two things stopped me.

1. I already have a red/white bike with the same geometry (my Flying Scot)

2.When I used the high build primer, it looked cool in yellow.

So now it is Ford Daytona Yellow and Mercedes Polar white. Looks mustardy here, but in the sun it really is nice.

Done with spray cans. It looks pretty presentable even close up, but I spent a lot of time priming, sanding etc. Although there was some surface rust, when bead blasted it was all just superficial. The brazing was superb, when uncovered.

I still have to lacquer it and refit the head badge.

I plan to rebuild as a traditional 10 speed.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=364689http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=364691
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=364690

Goody. Can't wait to see it all back together. The yellow and white look sharp.

Nice! I especially like that you've done it with spray cans. Goes to show that you can get nice results that way too, if you put in the effort. Well done!

Looks great, I like the lugwork and full-wrap stays, set off by the two-tone paint.

One of the last Holdsworths to wear a metal head badge, I think they were gone by 1981 or so?

Where did you go for decals/transfers?

Yes, I know it dates from at least the late 70s because of the TI Reynolds 531 badge. I got the decals from H.LLoyd cycles (for the 531 and "Mistral" swags), and from an ebay supplier, Worldwide cycle decals for the rest.

They are vinyl so are thicker than waterslides, but were the only ones I could find at the time. They need to be lacquered, which I'll do this weekend, but I'm happy with the way they look.

I just like riding nice steel frames :)

WOW, beautiful job; she is looking fine!

Thanks for posting.

Looking forward to buildout imagery. :thumb:

btw - have you posted the Rattray? :love:

Looks sharp, nice work.

looks a little like the Raleigh RRA color scheme...in reverse!
very nice in any case, looking forward to the finished build...:thumb:

Your wish is my command :thumb:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ys-Flying-Scot