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** A Word of Warning**
I have recently discovered that the inside diameter of steering tubes is not completely standard. They are generally about 22 mm, but there seems to be typically a variation of about 0.5mm. This may not sound much, but it can cause the handlebar stem to be a poor fit in the steering tube.
I believe this was the cause of a frightening failure I had last year when riding my old Fletcher which had a headclip similar to this Holdsworth (and most frames of the period). The top of the steering tube broke off at the point where there is a lateral slot (put there to aid the clamping effect of the headclip). This meant I was suddenly riding 'no hands', but as it happened I was going uphill fairly slowly and managed stop stop without falling off. This was an incredibly lucky escape.Apparently this failure was not unheard of back in the day when this system was the norm. I think in my case the stem was too small for the tube and this put undue stress on the area around that horizontal slot. I should say I had ridden the machine for many thousands of miles without trouble, but this type of failure is potentially so dangerous we should all be aware of the problem.
The stem shown in the picture may be a perfect fit, and if the expander bolt is retained it would make a breakage of this type more manageable. However I suspect that the basic problem of the fit is caused by the fact that English frames made at this time would have been made entirely to imperial measure, whereas almost all the stems you find now are metric.
Incidentally, rechroming the stem will almost certainly reduce its diameter.
The frame looks very attractive and I would expect it to ride well - just be careful with it!
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Many thanks for the heads up!
I might not get in trouble as the stem and the frame come from the same company from almost the same period.
Il Primo was a brand that Holdsworth created and thru which they've sold stems and handlebars. The same applied to Allez! Which they've used for pumps, pedals and other items.
Indeed the stem went in as a snug fit and I didn't even had to tighten the bolt (of course I'll have to do when building it up)
Thanks again!
No one knows of any cheap re-chroming guys?
I've been quoted £75 so far which I way too much.And yes, can't wait to ride it asap!
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Today played a bit with it as I got more stuff (from the 50s) in the mail: BSA pedals, Dawes ergonomic brake levers (I know, I know), Il Primo stem and handlebars.
This is a teaser of how it'll look once done: amazing!
More pictures in the flickr album:
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If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well.... I understand money is tight, but the frame is really nice and deserves components of the right age, a head-clip stem and wheelset of the right size......
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hey Anidel, not sure if your still having brake problems, but I"ve noticed the two on ebay at the moment. Could be good for you maybe?
FRench ones maybe a little early but I"m pretty sure the monitor are good.
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Thanks!
I've only built/building three bikes though. And when they're all complete I hope I will stop!
Got no space and gf's patience I think has a very low threshold :DSo if I'll want to work on something new, something will have to go and that's a decision I definitely don't want to make!!
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I've just bought what I hope is a 30's holdsworth off ebay from vintagebikecave.I'd like to contact the marque enthusiast if you could assist in this that would be a big help please look at the pictures you may recognise the model from your research,I plan to restore it and will even look out for some original dropouts for the rear.Cheers
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You can see here similarities with your frame in the Track version:
The image from the 49 Catalogue
The same track frame in real life:
And yours (note the lugs and the seat cluster):
Only differences are the braze-ons for a pulley derailleur (like the Osgear Super Champion or the Simplex Selection Standard or the Italian Cervino) near the BB and the drive side drop out.
Yours, also, is a road model and I attribute to that the fact that the fork crown is different.
The Cyclone changed a lot thru the years so it maybe this is of a slight different year and the road model could be different.
It could be the Special Club (note the eyelets position for the mudguards and the forks rake [Russ pattern], albeit the lamp braze-on is missing and the fork crown isn't clearly shown):
They are not all the same of course (the brake bridge is curved in yours and the "real life" path racer above whilst it's flat in the catalogue and few more details, but Holdsworth was also building many many frames to order and they were open to lots of personalisation)
Anyway, today I'll contact the Marque Enthusiast.
HHC
clubman
veLLo
luckyskull
jeff80
4candles
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About
1939 Holdsworth La Variable
Posted by
@anidel
Forget the last crap, the picture were probably for a different axle which seems to have a threaded hole.
The mod 15 I've got has nothing.
Anyway yesterday in the post this has arrived:
lovely Bailyss Wiley BB axle (hopefully will be the right length), some pitting, but that's fine as I don't plan to ride the bike that much anyway:
Also a Il Primo stem and Il Primo handlebar! The Il Primo was a brand Holdsworth owned. The stem was painted black at some point and I plan to bring it back to its former glory when I find a shop that does it (remove paint, re-chrome) at an acceptable price.
Know of anyone?
Anyway, the final build will not exactly period perfect, some components go forward to the 50s, but we're close enough.
I only miss brakes, but I could run it fixed until I find them.