1955 Holdsworth Zephyr

As you know i had the bob jackson stolen by neanderthalis bristolis as a welcome to the southwest. the next day my holdsworth finally arrived back from the enamellers. for those interested, this is what it looks like built up (at the moment).

it's real hard building bikes here, you have to wait for parts and search for days to find a 1/8 chain.

So: holdsworth path, brooks b17, stratalite 1950s seatpost, GB girder stem, nitto bars, GB brake hood, DA 1973 brake (going to change it as soon as i find something more appropriate), Mavic Modulo 27" rims, back cheap hub, front airlite (laced to rigida, gonna swap it out for thee other mavic), new pista record chainset, campag pedals.

i'm going to make a few subtle changes, a set of matching wingnuts for one, gradually make it more consistent, but keep modern drivetrain, best of both worlds i guess, with a real 'path' look to it,

really nice. although frame looks a tad small 4 u :(

That shit's hot... Lovin' those rims and tyres... SELL ME YOUR CALIPER!!!!! ;)

Thats a beaut!

i might sell you the pair as soon as i get a replacement.

funny dale - when it went to the enamellers i could have SWORN it was bigger. i think they shrunk it. still a 58 though, it's big.

Looks very similar to the one I have that needs renovating. I have a few questions if thats alright PJ. Where did you get the paint job and were the decals on the bike already or new? Did you get the track ends put on or were they there originally?

Looks pretty similar clearance wise to my frame.

Cheers,

P.

the paint job on the original was stunning, boxlined with intricate fern pattern, but the frame was battered. got the respray done at colourtech, £150, they couldn't do the patterns, too hard, although they tried. i may get argos to boxline it later. decals are replacement from lloyds. this is a path frame, so dropouts are original holdsworth track ends.

fuck pj this cunts got a bob in the background!

Sorry cruel.

Very Nice !

Thanks PJ. Looks really sweet. Nice one.

nice. the stem is damn hot!

stem was ten pounds from HH jumble - got a spearpoint, which is pretty much original and right, but is not in such good condition. went with the girder because it looks fricken rad.

What headset is that pj?

fuck knows. barrie witcomb gave it to me. it's mostly tange. it's been pissing me off for days and i need to get someone else to have a look at it. it's half the original one and some other bits - headsets are an issue with this frame because of the something or other. i can't remember what, but they need height.

that frame has come out looking lovely.

stunner!

didn't you get the little zephyr decal. i got the cyclone :( . FWIW mercian painted mine for £175

no i saw that when looking back at the old holdsworth 'back from the dead' thread' - and i have to say, your frame and renovation was the inspiration behind this thing dale - can you feel the love? i even cut and pasted the build details into a sticky, before deciding to make it a sort of new/old thing.

i think i might track one down from lloyds.

pretty!

Very, Very, nice

oh yeah - i went for the trad path idea of brake hood rather than bartop lever, partly becuase i had a GB lever with brand new (nos) 'superhood' covering. it's shit, but it looks good. and wrapping bar-tape around hoods is sucky.

oh yeah -one lever. i only just noticed that. would it not be more comfortable with two hoods?

I love those Airlite hubs, a friend back home had a pair on his dad's old 50's path frame, looked like they were dead but muc-off and elbow grease made them shineeeeeeeeey

oh yeah -one lever. i only just noticed that. would it not be more comfortable with two hoods?

yes, it totally would. but the other one is broken. and i like it like this. i can't see me lasting that long before getting a dirt harry or something.

Very nice - good to see a real classic brought to life and not butchered with day-glo Deep-Vs.