Holdsworth Mistral build

[anidel]

Re:

659218 I think.
I am abroad at the moment, will check on the forks when back home.

Thanks!

 

[anidel]

I was not convinced that he lacquered over my stickers but I may be wrong (maybe it’s the thickness of the decals that throws me off). If you knew the serial number I could give you a rough date as I have had many Holdsworths from 50s,60s, 70s and 80s (have three now). My understanding is that Vaz was the paint shop foreman at Holdsworth during the 80s and I imagine he does alright nowadays with his little business as he deserves to – fills a nice gap in the market for the price he charges. Other quotes I got at the time were double the amount but probably better quality although twice as good? Not sure!

He told me he'd put lacquer on top of them so that they'd last longer.
Yes, Vaz was the shop foreman at Holdsworth, he told me he was also in charge of the 'color R&D', i.e. he'd try new colors, propose them and if accepted they'd go in production. He worked there 15 years and yes, he's doing good with his business and now with his brother downstairs (who worked for Chas Roberts as frame builder) doing bespoke frames and repair they've got almost all you need when it comes to steel frames!
The brother is also Reynolds 753 certified, which is great.

When I asked Mercian for a quote for this frame, they sent me an image of a just finished Super Mistral in team colors + few new braze-ons for the price of 675 pounds!!
I said no way

Vaz also re-painted his own Super Mistral and just sold it on ebay for like 300 quids, not bad at all!

I was indeed looking to get the missing decals myself, which will be on top of lacquer, but well...it'll be fine, they'll be small anyway

 

[anidel]

Re:

Back home admiring the frame, I checked the forks and the serial is actually

U59218

 

[anidel]

Btw, will go as much as possible with the Golen Arrow groupset.
Got it from MrGumpy, but the brakes were recessed, noticed to late. On sale them, and got nutted ones off e-bay (all polished and shiny from a man in Bristol):

The nicest bit are the Shimano Golden Arrow clamp on d/t shifters:

I also found the original Allez pump!!

(in this picture you can see the bubbles)

 

[anidel]

And from the same man this nice GB stem:

and this seatpost:

I will go for a white saddle, white handlebar tape, white cable housing.
I think the white contrast is nice and the white matches the HOLDSWORTH logo on the frame.

 

[Spokesmann]

Like the GB stem.

 

[anidel]

Thanks, I like it a lot as well, mainly for the red paint and for being short (the frame is a tad long for me).

It costed a bit, but the guys polished it as new, so I went for it...

 

[anidel]

So, so far this is what I have got for the build:

• 
  Frame and forks: Holdsworth Mistral flamboyant wine red - cable stops and bb guides braze-on
  Seat post: Kalloy
  Saddle: San Marco Ergo White
  Handlebar stem: GB with Red painted GB logo engraving - 70mm
  Handlebars: GB - drop down
  Brake lever: Shimano 105 aero - white hoods
  Rear Caliper brake: Shimano Golden Arrow (nutted 57mm max reach)
  Front Caliper brake: Shimano Golden Arrow (nutted)
  Downtube shifters: Shimano Golden Arrow (clamp-on)
  Crankset: Shimano Golden Arrow
  Front derailleur: Shimano Golden Arrow
  Rear derailleur: Shimano Golden Arrow
  Headset: Shimano Golden Arrow
  BB: Shimano UN55 Square Taper Bottom Bracket - 68 x 115mm - English Thread
  Wheelset: ????????? - Should have a compatible set at home (need to check) (OLN 126mm)
  Tyres: Schwalbe Marathon Plus - 700cx35
  Pedals: Shimano SPD
  Chain: ?????????
  Seat binder bold: Campagnolo
  Dropout adjusters: Unknown brand
  Brake housing: white
  Brake cables: ?????????

Am I missing anything?
You think the length of the BB is correct? I have this BB lying around, hopefully is long enough for a two chain rings crank?

Also the headset races barely fit, I think that's normal right?
I think I need a particular tool to fit them (i.e. I shall bring it to a shop), is that correct?

 

[anidel]

Cool, "Mistral" little decals just arrived in the post along with a box containing the nutted brake calipers, the seat post and the stem. Lovely stuff!

 

[jules_b]

Good work!! Looks like it is coming along really nicely and like the parts you are choosing. I would say from the number that yours is a late (1983) model. I am work at the moment so having a blank about what my serial number is on my 1981 Professional so i will come back to you on that to help you date it. The U (from memory) is a particular builder but i will come back on that to.

With regards to the BB I am not sure but i recently got a new 115 Campag BB for my Professional and the crank (with only one chainring - Campag Strada) unfortunately touches the frame so i need a longer one . It may be different for your frame, and indeed your crankset. I can check my Super Mistral when i get home and my Cyclone which both should have the same dimensions as yours.

Good work it is looking great and making me feel bad about doing mine in Team colours!