I am the party that sold Eric the Holdsworth frame and I purchased the fram e from a party in the U.K. I am very surprised to see it's pedigree ques tioned at this point. I used to be very active on the CR list, having be en a member for 8+ years now, but have remained in the background for th e past 4 years. I've dealt with a lot of CR members and pride myself o n my integrity. I believe Eric is jumping the gun here by "buying into" that this is not a Holds frameset. Here is my most recent email to Eric:
Eric,
I'm sorry, but I think this is bullshit, to be very candid. Man, I've n
ever done anything to mislead anyone on any items that I've sold, so to h
ave this come from out of the past at such a late date is surprising.
Just so you know, BJ does stamp all frames w/numbers that are brought in fo
r refinishing.
>From my memory: This frame was labeled as a "Bob Addy", who was an ex-Holds
racing team member. Bob had his own store for a while and it is my underst
anding that he had Holds make up some frames to Super Mistral specs w/his n
ame on them to be sold in his store. The frame had Bob Addy stickers w/a
Holds headbadge when I acquired the frame in the U.K. It was sent direc
tly to BJ for refinish.
Now, who is playing the Holds expert w/info on wheelbase etc?
Dave
I stand by this frame and I can attest it was NOT a Bob Jackson or Merlin. That is just silly stuff. Perhaps a "Bob Addy" labeled frame is not exactly like the Super Mistrals? Anyway, I think a rush to judgement has occured here and Eric has been a bit too hasty in stopping his auction.
Dave Patrick
Chelsea, Michigan
From: Eric Elman <tr4play@cox.net> Subject: [CR]Holdsworth Auction Cancelled To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Date: Friday, December 26, 2008, 6:12 PM
Well, based on numerous emails from CR and non-CR members, there certainly
seems to be much justification that the frameset I was auctioning is not a
Holdsworth. While not conclusive, it sure seems that way so I have gone ahead and cancelled my auction. I've written to the individual who comminsioned the respray and then sold it to me. As I find out more I'll
update the list.
Thanks for all the info to date.
Happy Holiday's to all.
Eric Elman
Bummed and embarrased at the moment
Somers, CT USA
> Hello Eric,
> Maybe I can help with the ID of your 'Holdsworth'
>
> My first 6 years framebuilding where with Bob Jackson [before I moved on
> to Woodrup's]
> It certainly does look like a BJ or Merlin.......the Merlin range as I
> recall where exactly the same as a BJ, but where supposed to be of a
> cheaper price range, even though we made them in the same manner as a BJ,
> or even a JRJ [John Robert Jackson]
>
> The rear brake bridge as quite a large center boss, which I remember,
> though I can't remember now if this was a later style to the smaller
boss
> or the other way round.
>
> As for 'scalloping the rear stays'.........just a bit of careful
use of a
> vice actually!
>
> Regarding the two numbers, I suspect 2259 is the actual frame # wheras 41
2
> is the # the frame shop stamped on renovations for the paint shop
> records, [ I hated this method as it made the frame appear second hand or
> certainly not a new one anymore!]
>
> Incidently having looked at the Merlin on eBay I remember brazing on thos
e
> rings at the top of the down tube for bar controls, amazing there still o
n
> as they where prone to getting snapped off!
>
> Wonder why it was spayed up as a Holdsworth?
>
> Cheers
> Kevin Sayles. Bridgwater Somerset UK
>
>
> ---- Original Message -----
> From: "Eric Elman" <tr4play@cox.net>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Friday, December 26, 2008 3:26 PM
> Subject: [CR]eBay Holdsworth Questions
>
>
>> Hello List,
>>
>> The Holdsworth frame which I have listed on ebay (120352861564) has
>> raised a few questions from one ebay member in particular. He writes,
>> respecfully:
>>
>> Hello again,
>> After further research, this appears to be a Bob Jackson produced
Merlin.
>> The serial number is formatted as a Jackson, and not at all like a
>> Holdsworth, even considering known variances. See current e-bay
listing
>> number 270319751498 for a BJ Merlin fastback. There should be a brazed
on
>> rear brake bridge, and the seat lug taper is different from the
>> Holdsworth. The wheelbase is not correct for a Super Mistral, probably
>> owing to the front fork. It has no eyelets as on rear, and may be fom
a
>> Holdsworth Pro. This is a very interesting and vintage British frame,
but
>> not what I believed it to be. I must respectfully retract my bid.
>>
>> The frame and fork are both stamped "412" while the frame
has a secondary
>> stamp of "2259." This would indicate to me the fork is
original to the
>> bike despite the difference in eyelets. The only reference I can find
>> regarding wheelbase is the 1963 Mistral having a 41" wheelbase
but
>> certainly it could have been shortened up by the 1970's as most
all
>> builders were doing.
>>
>> Either way, I would be most appreciative of any comments or points for
me
>> and potential buyers to be aware of.
>>
>> I have updated my listing accordingly but may need to cancel it
depending
>> on further feedback from this list.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
>> Eric 'do not want to decieve' Elman