WF Holdsworth Cyclone Track/Path 1934-1936

Got this in the mail.

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There are some irregularities explainable with a re-paint.

1) the paint itself it's too good to be true. But I think it was re-painted at Holdsworth themselves in the late 40s
2) the headbadge. It appeared after the war, but the frame is definitely 34/36 when WF Holdsworth was selling the Cyclone as a track option (only time it was doing so)

The serial number is the lowest we know so far from Holdsworth (a part from the very first ones): 0520 and it's printed on the seat cluster and on the back of the fork crown.

It came with a Chater Lea BB and has Chater Lea fittings (BB shell, etc)
The lugs have been filed down and the frame was bonderized before being painted.

Lovely stuff.

There's a discussion going on on Retrobike re dating it:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=362572&start=60

Some other quick pictures here:

https://goo.gl/photos/WXoqDwp8Gqzbj6QUA

Subbed

It's gonna be very slow (maybe), but looking to get Chater Lea crankset / pedals and Mayor Taylor cockpit.

Interested to see what happens to this as I have no idea on this age of cycling, frame looks great.

Subd. Looks lovely!

Nice score, lovely details! Excited to see where this is going...

This will go as per catalogue I've decided. It's really beautiful

That is a fantastic frame, particularly for its age. Looking forward to seeing it finished. Like you say though, it will take a while to find parts of the right vintage and in good enough condition.

Well worth the hunt though!

Definitely!! And the paint job is amazing too, definitely done in a professional setting.
I love how they've filed down the lugs, it looks so smooth.

I bit a bullet I shouldn't have.
This build will cost :(

But this is arriving in the post soon.

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I saw that on ebay, I feel your pain! Looks lovely though, I'm definitely jealous...

I bit a bullet I shouldn't have.

Ha! Been there. Still can't get over the paint on this.

Ouch, looks expensive!

£170, I tried to bid on a second one earlier, but went to £180.
This was listed for £190 and I offered £170 thinking he wouldn't accept, but he did.

It's been expensive :( but I'll love it :)

Check my wallet and you'll be less jealous :)

It's been repainted in the 50s, but still kept amazingly clean.
Wonder how the second owner built it.
Might ask the seller as he seems to have contact with the guy he originally bought it from.

Original owner is probably deceased.

Would a 1934-36 bike have an expander style stem?
These images show a clip style.
1934

1936

a useful source for what was available is the Holdsworth Aids
1936 Holsworth Aids

Yep it should be a headclip stem. When one Major Taylor appears as a headclip stem, I might get it :)
For now this'll do.

this is lovely. Glad you got it so can follow the build.

This is great. Looking forward to seeing it finished.

Cheers guys. Anything you might throw that will help for the build, do shout.

Handlebars, wheels, chainset

Too long and no time to finish this.
Would be lovely to just keep it as is, but I am no collector and prefer to keep what I use.

So, I'd be willing to let this go. Sadly.