[CR] Is my mystery frame a Holdsworth? Carlton? Raleigh?

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Cinelli)

Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 07:32:44 -0800
From: "Caleb Hawley" <calebhawley@yahoo.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR] Is my mystery frame a Holdsworth? Carlton? Raleigh?


Dear list,

I need help getting an ID on a mystery frame I picked up recently from CL.  It has been repainted and is missing all decals and head badge, but certainly looks British.  Campagnolo fork ends and long slotted rear dropout, Cinelli sloping fork crown, and wrapover seat stays point me in the Holdsworth direction.  There is a cable guide brazed on top of the BB shell for the rear derailleur, and a stop for the front derailleur.  I don't know if this originally had 27 inch wheels or 700c, but I think 27 inch because there is a lot of clearance.  I don't know if it was originally designed for centerpulls or sidepulls, but there were some cheapo Dia Compe side pulls on it when I got it. 

The serial number situation is puzzling, and it looks almost exactly like the format of the serial numbers on the mystery frame currently offered on Ebay by list member Arno Volkers: stamped on the adjustable cup side of the BB shell is "C8881", and a three digit number is stamped on the fixed cup side, "921".  The fork steerer tube is stamped "868".

There was definitely white paint or at least white primer on this bike prior to the refinish.

Pictures are at:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid as2TdwzaMWTig&emid=sharshar&linkid=link5&cid=EMsharshar

I checked Norman Kilgaraff's Holdsworth site, but didn't see much to help nail this one down for sure as a Holdsworth.

Any help is much appreciated, on or off list!

Caleb Hawley
Baltimore, Maryland, USA