I listed this in the winter on the CR list, but no sale was finalized. From discussions with friends, it seems like winter was a poor time to try to sell it, particularly this winter. I thought I would put it on the CR and BOB list before it goes on E-bay. A '74 frameset just went for $380. This frame is not as mint, it was actually used, but it's a full bike with very nice parts. Price is negotiable, although obviously anyone who offers what I'm asking has first dibs.
******************************************* I'm selling my Holdsworth Professional, mainly because I have another go-fast bike among my arsenal. I'm hesitant to put an exact year to it; I believe it is mid-70s. The serial number stamped under the BB shell is 014619. If you are familiar with Holdsworth serial IDs, and I'm wildly inaccurate in my estimate, please warn me. This is what I can tell you about the bike.
I'm asking $500. It is the team orange that Holdsworth racers used in the seventies, and it is the same bike they were competing with in the BRRC (British Professional Road Race Championship) and the Tour de France. It has a 60 cm seat tube center to center, and the top tube is 57.5 or 58 cm, I can't decide which. For those who want to know, with the current tires the standover height is 85 cm/ 33.5 inches. It has Campy chrome dropouts, and it does not have the chrome tubes early Professionals had. It is a racing frame, so the only braze-on it has is a cable guide on one of the chainstays. It doesn't have a headbadge, it has a sticker decal with a horse, and the words: Worthy, Designed and Built by W.B. Holdsworth, London. It is a used bike, so it has nicks and scratches, some parts are more worn out than others, and all the components are the originals that the frame was born with (except the rims, I suppose). The frame is in very good condition, as I imagine all expertly hand-crafted Reynolds 531 frames will be if taken care of, even when used hard. The sticker decals are all on the bike still, but the Reynolds 531 and serial stickers are pretty much worn away. The Holdsworth decals are completely legible, but have a lot of wear, too. The chainstays have multiple nicks, and the main tubes and seat stays have scattered nicks.
I just cleaned the bike thoroughly, and did not see any rust, whatsoever. As far as I can see, there is no rust inside the seat tube. A comment about it's ride: speed is always a matter of the motor, but this has always seemed like a very fast bike, with quick handling. I have pictures I can e-mail to anyone interested, and (probably goes w/o saying) all responses should be off-list. If there is no interest, I'll try it out on e-bay. Paypal payment is preferred, although I'm flexible. As long as you pay for shipping, I'll ship anywhere. I live in Southern California, and can deliver to San Diego, LA, OC for free, I usually have to go anyway. In June, my wife and I will be going to the Bay Area to pick up her Glorius (she is so happy!) so I could probably bring it up there, too.
I'm listing the components on the bike, with a few notes on the condition of each.
Almost everything on it are Campagnolo. --Campagnolo Nuovo Record 12 speed drivetrain, with 52-42 chainrings and a six-cog freewheel. This has a lot of life in it still. --Campy Strada 170 mm cranks--some scratches, but still in very attractive condition --Suntour Superbe pedals, good condition. --Campy DT shifters, very nice condition --Dia-Compe Gran Compe brakes. Nice condition, pads will need replacement soon. --SR Laprade seatpost, scratched and worn. --Cinelli Milano stem, 130 mm c-c. Shiny, but some scratches. --Campy Nuovo Record headset, excellent condition. --Cinelli Giro d'Italia handlebar. The drops measure 40 cm c-c. These are nice, and I wrapped them in brown cloth tape and shellacked them with clear Bulls-Eye, to protect it and because it looks nice. The brown tape looks nice with the Campy brake levers,, which have brown hoods. The right hood has some noticeable tears in it, and will eventually need replacement. --Araya gold rims, 27" x 1" --Campy Record Hubs, 36 spoked. --Quick release axles. The rims are new, the hubs are worn but in good shape. --I just put a pair of new tires on the rims--Japanese Cyclepro Linear F 1" width. They actually measure about 7/8", according to my tape. --All the cable housing is grey, and in good condition. Right now I have a black B17 saddle on the seat post, but I'm not planning on selling it.
I think that covers everything well, please reply off-list.
Dave Carroll
Wrightwood, CA