Help identifying an interesting road bike

deanobob

Retro Newbie
Hi all, I have recently purchased a vintage bicycle frame from a rubbish tip and would like some help identifying the frame model. The style of it makes me think Reynolds but I haven't owned one like this before (I have several 531 / 501 bicycles).

The good people at bikeradar recommended I ask here - their current assumption is this is a Holdsworth or Carlton due to the wrap-over seat stays.

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I'm looking at restoring this frame if it's structurally sound - just hoping for some more information on how it was born so I could restore it to its former glory!
 
It looks very like a Holdsworth Mistral, prugnat lugs, mudguard eyes. The only thing that doesn't look like its there is the rear brake cable hanger that was brazed on the Mistrals for centre pull calipers. Are there a couple of holes drilled in the front of the headtube where a badge would have been? Its also worth scraping back the rear drop outs and seeing if they are Campagnolo.

As Shaun said a frame number might help, could be a possible Claud Butler. Big frame through, thats got to be 25" at least!
 
Re:

Thanks for the replies!

I will remove some paint to reveal the serial number and see if the dropouts are campagnolo. I'll reply when I have these details.
 
From early 1960s to about 1970 this was a standard road frame, same components used by perhaps 100 frame builders. Standard road frames were expected to carry full mudguards.

Holdsworthy built some, and sold to various trade outlets in their various names.

It looks like a raleigh 26 tpi top head race, so could have the wrong forks.
Keith
 
The OP's frame is too oldfor the Bonavia I mentioned but here's a Bonavia seat cluster and Prugnat style lugs in this thread.....


viewtopic.php?t=168372

It was 6.00am this morning and wasn't thinking straight lol

Mistral would be my bet :)

Shaun
 
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