I recently came across this beautiful Holdsworth professional frame. The frame is in a little rough shape and will need restoration, but it is as about as cool as it gets in my book. Its a hand made lugged frame, made with the Highest end version of Reynolds 531 tubing and what I think is as cool as it gets it has chrome stays and a chrome fork. I knew Carles was looking for a a vintage higher end frame with Reynolds 531 and thought the Holdworth would be perfect.
The frame will receive a restoration and then I think we will build it up. The frame will be stripped and then I will do a few very small repairs. When the frame is ready it will be powder coated in a matching black but the fork will stay chrome instead of the black paint it originally was. There is a little bit of rust around the cable guides which is not uncommon and a few spots of rust here and there where the paint was scratched and chipped.
I think the Holdsworth is an amazing frame and I think it will just plain look amazing when done, I can't wait to see it.
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Head Tube |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Head Tube |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Head Tube Lug |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Top Tube Cable Guide |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Professional Decal |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Top Tube Cable Guide |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Holdsworth Down Tube Decal |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Seat Lug |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Reynolds 531 Decal |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Holdsworth Seat Tube Decal |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Seat Tube Decal |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Seat Lug |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Brake Bridge |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Seat Stays |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Chain Stay |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Rear Drop Outs |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Fork |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Fork Crown |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Fork Crown |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Fork Blade |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Fork Blade |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Fork Drop Outs |
The stripping of the paint process was a real bear. The primer was incredible tough! Its unusual for a frame from this era to fight paint stripping so much, usually they are the easiest.
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Frame - Stripped |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame Before Fork - Stripped |
I need to finish the preparation of the frame and on small repair and hopefully sometime tomorrow the black color starts going on.
I started applying the black color and after curing it looked like oatmeal. I called the powder company and they sad probably a bad batch and sent me new powder. The second time got the same oatmeal results just not quit as bad. I gave up on that powder and that company and went with Ink Black color from Prismatic powders. The third time was the charm. It really is not a fun thing to do removing bad powder coat so I think I will stay with Prismatic Powders for a while.
With the powder applied I did a little wet sand to smooth things out and then work through a few polish grits to really bring a nice even shine out. The frame looks smooth and amazing.
The rear drop outs where chromed about four inches in each direction up the stays. The original frame had that chrome painted over. I took some creative liberty and left that chrome polished and unpainted. I think it will match the chrome fork very well. I love black paint and chrome. I like a lot of other colors and styles but when I see black and chrome I think it is my favorite by far.
Moving the frame around I was struck by how light it was so I had to weigh it after powder coating. 4 lbs 8 oz is amazing light for a steal frame, I love it!!
Tomorrow I will take photos of the polished fork and also I have been hunting for just the perfect decals. Check back soon.
With the powder applied I did a little wet sand to smooth things out and then work through a few polish grits to really bring a nice even shine out. The frame looks smooth and amazing.
The rear drop outs where chromed about four inches in each direction up the stays. The original frame had that chrome painted over. I took some creative liberty and left that chrome polished and unpainted. I think it will match the chrome fork very well. I love black paint and chrome. I like a lot of other colors and styles but when I see black and chrome I think it is my favorite by far.
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After A little wet sanding. |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete - Head Tube |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete - Head Tube |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete - Head Tube |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete - Top Tube |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete - Seat Lug |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete - Bottom Bracket |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete - Bottom Bracket |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete - Bottom Bracket |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete - Seat Lug |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete - Chain Stays |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete - Chrome Drop Outs |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete - Chrome Drop Outs |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Frame After Frame Powder Coating Complete |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Weighing Frame 4 lbs 8 oz |
 |
| Holdsworth Professional Frame Restoration - Weighing Frame 4 lbs 8 oz |
Tomorrow I will take photos of the polished fork and also I have been hunting for just the perfect decals. Check back soon.
Hey John, long time no talk. You still have this Holdsworth frame?
ReplyDeleteWow ! It is a Nice blog that you have posted. I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout of your blog. It is rare to see a great blog like this one today. You made some good points there.If you need any type of service you can visit our website frame restoration in UK
ReplyDelete