'84 Holdsworth: strip-down and powder coat

I bought a lovely 1984 Holdsworth Triath-Elan a couple of months ago.

It was a beastly 61cm frame so perfect for my lanky 6'3" legs. Bought off here from Tom who had built it up from frame and forks. The frame was still in original colour and had some signs of wear given the age.

The plan is to fully strip it down then get the frame powder coated and re-apply decals. Then build it up with cleaned/replaced/serviced bits and bobs.

Here (I think) is the first pic of the stripped down frame...

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Close up of the Holdsworth decals on the down tube.

The whole frame will be shot blasted prior to powder coating so I will be looking to get some of these made up to apply after the powder coating process.

Not sure what the typeface is yet, look a bit like a heavy version of Clarendon. If anyone has any ideas then let me know.

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Have struck upon problem no. 1.

The fram had a sealed Shimano BB so I bought the relevant tool and the other side came out like a dream. However, the non-drive side seems to have a different size cup and my 'tool' is 'too big' (like the wife keeps telling me)!

Any ideas why? I may need to acquire another cup tool but not sure what size yet.

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Have managed to remove the forks but not any of the bearing cups. Amazingly the bike had the original headset still fitted (and maybe testament to the fact that it aint gonna budge!).

Was planning on tapping out the cups in the headtube with a long screwdriver but I don't have one long enough. My fault for being so tall and needing a large frame I guess!

Also, the cup on the forks will need removing for powder coating but I can't budge this. Not sure if this is going to comply though.

There is a really good cycle co-op in Oxford ( http://www.bsbcoop.org ) who have open workshop sessions so I may have to pay them a visit next weekend to sort out this and the BB cup problems.

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Not sure about the font, but I've got a pair of seat tube holdsworth decals if you like?

BB cup is strange - I thought that all 20t splined cups had the same pattern. Perhaps it is a problem with the design of the tool rather than with the cup - I have been using the same Park BBT22 tool for years and have never encountered a shimano 20t cup that it didn't fit... although if you can't find a tool to fit it, it's easy enough to cut out a plastic cup.

The removal of the headset will be made much easier by buying or constructing the proper tool. I used to use a home-made tool (22mm copper pipe, cut some slots in it and flare the ends out) which cost about £2 but only lasts for 2-3 uses before it crumples up. A Headset Rocket is about a tenner, from memory, and seemingly lasts forever. Soaking the headset in penetrating oil helps (PlusGas, diesel, Duck Oil or even WD40).

Not sure about the font, but I've got a pair of seat tube holdsworth decals if you like?

Sounds good, are they the same as the ones in my pic?
How much were they and where did you get them (I may be able to get the down tube ones done at the same place)?

BB cup is strange - I thought that all 20t splined cups had the same pattern. Perhaps it is a problem with the design of the tool rather than with the cup - I have been using the same Park BBT22 tool for years and have never encountered a shimano 20t cup that it didn't fit... although if you can't find a tool to fit it, it's easy enough to cut out a plastic cup.

The removal of the headset will be made much easier by buying or constructing the proper tool. I used to use a home-made tool (22mm copper pipe, cut some slots in it and flare the ends out) which cost about £2 but only lasts for 2-3 uses before it crumples up. A Headset Rocket is about a tenner, from memory, and seemingly lasts forever. Soaking the headset in penetrating oil helps (PlusGas, diesel, Duck Oil or even WD40).

Some good tips, may try cutting out the plastic cup as I will probably get a new BB anyway. As for the headset, will check out the tools and see how I get on.

Thanks

re decals. they are the same as the ones in your pic, I put the downtube ones on my Holdsworth but they're totally the wrong era (mine's 50's) but just happened to be available. I'll not use the Seatube ones though, so pm me your address and I'll post 'em over. Don't know where they originally came from though soz

I use a homemade headset cup removal tool which has performed perfectly on many occasions so far. Basically it's an old cheap (£5 bargain bin) aluminium handlebar I bought from halfords years ago cut in half. Just make sure you alternate where you hit the cups. It's never failed and never damaged any frames or headsets, probably due to the monkey-metal composition.

There are some reproduced decals on ebay, I used them for a renovation recently and they came out pretty well.

Thanks for the link to this, I've only just remembered to come back and check it out. Really glad the bike went to someone who is actually going to take care over it and bring it back to its former glory!

I think it is H Lloyd who does the reproduction decals, you can get the full set of Holdsworth ones. It's a little bit pricey but would be well worth it.

What colour would you be getting it powdercoated, the same again?

Sorry about the headset and BB problems. They were both in good condition when I bought the bike so they were the only two areas I left alone. But I've taken headsets out of bikes in much worse states than this one, so with the proper tool (the bike shop open session sounds good) it should be alright. I did most of the work on this in the open workshop of my LBS down here.

Thanks for all the advice so far. I stumped up the cash and bought the tools in the end as I have plans to keep doing these refurbs and thought I would get good use out of them.

Managed to get both the BB cup and headset cups out the frame and the crown race off the forks. The frame really is a beaut, I am thinking of the same sort of colour but the guys who will be powdercoating it only has a limited selection so will need to pay him a visit first.

More pics of bits, more for my own records too (decals to order later on).

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Couple more pics of the crown race (which was in bloody good condition for the age) and the headset cup. The cup was pitted on the inside but it was all silky smooth when fitted.

Proabably going to replace it anyway for peace of mind. If anyone has any recommendations for headsets let me know, a little out of touch with road bike parts.

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And I just found this little beast which is soon to become a beater/commuter. Need a good fixed back wheel and cranks first...

... but that's another story.

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sorry, forgot to send decals, will do shortly

Well, it's been a while since I've done anything to the Holdsworth but slowly I'm getting back on to it.

Have sold my motorbike (more room in the garage), finished putting together my beater for locking to lamp posts in London and now am ready to get this finished for the summer.

I have ordered all the decals from H Lloyd so they should be turning up shortly and have opted for a respray over powder coating. After looking into it a bit more it seems it's a little more difficult to apply decals and then over lacquer. Given that I'm looking to keep this for a while I want to do it properly so am currently getting prices in for the re-spray.

Will post again soon when things develop.

Pardon my ignorance.. What's the difference between a spray and powder coat? (Im restoring a Moser and am looking at options for paint) Can't wait to see how the Holdsworth looks!

Power coat gives you a sort of thick plasticky finish. It is sprayed on as a power and then baked in an oven, where it sort of melts together into a solid/smooth finish.

"Wet spray" is basically wet paint sprayed on using a spray gun. It gives a thinner cleaner, nicer finish. It's what your bike would have had.

Powder coat Pros:

• cheap
  
• durable - it's what people use on tools and things that need industrial finishes.
  
  

Powder coats Cons:

• looks / finish
  
• generally only one colour
  
• decals must be applied ontop so can't be clear coated over and therefore they are less durable
  
  

Wet Spray Pros:

• infinate colour and design options
  
• looks great
  
• thinner - especially important if there are lugs
  
• often expensive
  
  

Wet coat cons:

• more expensive
  
• less durable
  
  

It seems a shame to powder coat a Moser (or any nice frame). Powder coating is great for one colour beaters where the frame needs protecting though.