Holdsworth Frame Numbers

[Gunboat_Diplomat]

quite likely if sold as a complete bike, but a good number were also sold a frameset only and built up by bikeshop or customer

So being completely ignorant about such things what are other good options, if the bike is 1968-70, to Campag are available. Would I be better fitting slightly later components ie Shimano Golden Arrow. Any input based on experience or just subjective aesthetic appeal gratefully received.
Sorry if this is thread hi-jack I can start somewhere else if necessary.

All the Best

David

 

[BChaps]

Hi,

This is my first post on here. I have had this Holdsworth bike since 1973 (my grandad bought it for me 2nd hand), however is has been sitting in my Dad's garage for 40 years. I have recently cleared out the garage and started to research more about the bike and restore it to its former glory. I believe the bike was made in the 40's/50's but would like someone on here to confirm and help me find what year precisely. I would also be interested to find out the model of the bike. I would also be interested what would be the rough valuation now that it has been restored. See pictures below to help. Many thanks!

The model number is below (i read 10456 C and there is number 83 below, not sure what this means...)
The old sticker is below
The fully restored bike is also in the pictures below (not with the original saddle)

Thanks

 

[dwscrimshaw]

That number would suggest 1949 and there were only a few models that year, the lug less LaQuelda and the Cyclone. As yours has track ends I can only see it as a Cyclone track model. That said I can not see the detail of the lugs as looking the same. You might want to check this out here. http://nkilgariff.com/HoldsCats/Cat1949/1949Catalogue.htm and http://www.nkilgariff.com/

 

[dwscrimshaw]

Hi @dwscrimshaw

As promised a few photos.

Curved Bridge, Wrap over Stay & Head Badge and Lower lug only (sorry!)
Whilst not clear I am sure the stay is engraved...
The bike is being handed down to me so will be regularly ridden again.
Will probably be looking at another renovation this winter (by me)
Any recommendations for useable period replacement stuff gratefully received.
I assume looking at the flyers etc it would be Record throughout...
All the Best

David

I have to say I am struggling a bit with those combination of items. If it didn't have mudguards eyes it could well be an early factory pro although I am not sure when the brake bridge went straight and the pro never had eyes as std. I guess it could be a special build of some type, but I am sure its not a std. Mistral. It would be worth measuring the frame geometry and try matching it to the descriptions in the catalogs. Wheel base is front drop out c/line to the point where the seat stays would cross the rear drop out spindle slot. Rear stay length is center of BB to the same point on the rear. Be careful with phone apps for measuring angles they can be tricky. Then have a good look through the early 70's model in the catalogs here. http://nkilgariff.com/Models.htm

 

[Gunboat_Diplomat]

No problems on the measuring, design engineer by trade, no phone app in sight....
Will have to do this when I go over to visit. Which as I live on the outskirts of Bedford may be a little way off.
Thanks for all the input.

David

 

[t4tomo]

So being completely ignorant about such things what are other good options, if the bike is 1968-70, to Campag are available. Would I be better fitting slightly later components ie Shimano Golden Arrow. Any input based on experience or just subjective aesthetic appeal gratefully received.
Sorry if this is thread hi-jack I can start somewhere else if necessary.

All the Best

David

http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/Derailleurs_from_the_1970s.html
http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/Derailleurs_from_the_1960s.html
almost anything - masses of info on Disraeli gears site....

 

[Glug]

Hiya, I'm new on here, but I was looking for Avanti info and found this thread so I thought I would add a data point.

I bought an Avanti in 1983 and I'm fairly certain it was 531 tubing (the salesman mentioned it a few times I think).
Unfortunately a 'friend' broke the frame while hopping a curb about 10 years later.

But I've still got the recipt

Bought 1983/04/16 from Bike UK., London WC2
Frame number 039295, year of make 1982 (on the insurance form)

Receipt: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KLi8bhI_S0TyFw74VmsdevFY7E-MUgGn/view?usp=sharing
Insurance: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14BblyJEvEHGDRd-nKiA-BRB4OcGuji93/view?usp=sharing
(not my address for the last 30 years

 

[t4tomo]

http://nkilgariff.com/HoldsCats/Cat1982/1982Catalogue.htm

http://nkilgariff.com/Images/Holdsworth_Frame_Numbers.JPG

suggests frame actually made in very late 81, but the frame numbers are a guide...

 

[Glug]

Yep, I saw those numbers.
But the insurance form wasn't filled in by me, I think it was actually filled in in the shop when I bought the bike.
In which case the shop filled in 1982 as the year it was made.
But it's too many years ago to be certain

 

[CBguy]

Undoubtedly a 1982 model year - the apparent first year for Holdsworth catalogue listing of the Avanti model.

Seemingly next year's models often started factory production as early as middle of year before. So... quite conceivable #039295 was a "1982" Avanti actually built in December of 1981 and likely not received by shop until 1982. "Year of make" required on insurance form is open to interpretation - ie does it mean model year or actual date of build - suspect former.

Important to note that Dave Scrimshaw's serial data "predicts" date of actual production not model year. So... I'd say prediction remains quite accurate.