Holdsworth - help confirming age

[Rich A]

Hi All,

Can anyone help date this Holdworth from this photo? The headbadge has the crown so after 1953/54. The BB serial number looks like 9645 then a gap and another digit which I cannot make out then 83 separately stamped underneath.

Any ideas appreciated - I have looked at http://www.nkilgariff.com and https://drive.google.com/drive/mobile/f ... TNKZkN4TmM for frame number sequencing but not sure if it is a 4 or 5 digit serial number.

Any help appreciated, even decade would be good.

Thanks

Richard

 

[keithglos]

Re:

From what I can see, the cast lugs and 2 plate fork crown would probably be no later than 1951/2. Very few builders would have used these much later, although I had a new frame in 1951 with a 2 plate crown and cast lugs.
Dave Scrimshaws amazing lists show 1948, which is in line with the appearance.
A few more close up details could help, seat lug, ends brake bridge etc.

Keith

 

[Rich A]

Thanks Keith, these photos might help...

 

[Rich A]

Sorry this one

 

[Rich A]

How about this one Keith, this is all I have. So you reckon 1948?

 

[keithglos]

Those top eyes on the seat lug look 100% WF Holdsworth. The black panels suggest a repaint in the 70's, could have got the head badge then.

The bike looks to me typical late 40s to early 50s. Are those Conloy rims?

Keith

 

[Rich A]

Thanks Keith, no details I thought I’d look for a 40s - 50s bike to work on and this came on the radar...

 

[keithglos]

Re:

Can't be sure from the angle of the picture, but the forks look a bit back.
Its not a problem, but 531 forks really take some pulling. I used to do loads of commuter bikes in the 50s with bent back forks and frames, where the users could not afford to pay and needed their transport to get 6 pounds a week.

Keith

 

[Rich A]

I think you might be right Keith. I’ll keep looking for a bike that inspires me to bring it back to life...thanks again

 

[keithglos]

Re:

The 531 blades were usually very strong, probably only needs a little tweak of the fork crown. The forks are probably now about 3 times as strong as the old Raleigh commuter bikes front forks I used to pull.

Keith