Anyone know the value of this never assembled Holdsworth bike?

[misterbroon]

I've inherited a 1977 (I beleive) vintage Holdsworth in orange with Reynolds 531 frame, details below
Classic Holdsworth Racing Bike 1977 with Shimano 600 Equipment.



The bike has had the wheels fitted only once and been in dry storage for 40 years that I know of. As far as I know, this bike has NEVER been ridden. There are a few very minor chips on paintwork of the frame.

1 Owner from new (in 1977), inherited from previous owner who bought this to ride but health issues sent it to storage.

W.F. Holdsworth Frame (23 inch) – Reynolds 531 Tube. Frame No. 009078

SR Royal chain set

Shimano 600 front & rear dérailleurs and change levers

25” Mavic wheels with 5 speed derailleur, tyres are shot

Cinelli stem and handlebars

Brooks professional saddle

Cherry side pull brakes & levers
he bike has been assembled only once and been in dry storage for 40 years that I know of. As far as I know, this bike has NEVER been ridden. There are a few very minor chips on paintwork of the frame.

 

[Cycleops]

Wow, that’s quite a find. It would be of great interest to a number of enthusiasts. I’m not sure if they would be using a five speed in 1977 but perhaps that was the riders preference. The wheels would be 27” or maybe 700c (28”).
No idea of value but look on eBay to see what similar bikes fetch. If you have the inclination I should build it up, you might get rather more like that.

 

[biggs682]

Welcome @misterbroon
It's in the iconic Holdsworth colours so adds value straight away.
Where are you based ?
There will be good interest in it for sure as for price who knows .
But very nice and a good find

 

[IanSmithCSE]

Morning,

I suspect that the value would be very much dependent upon how much work you want to put into selling it and how long your are willing to wait for a sale.

If you sell the frame by itself it is likely to sell fairly easily at up to £100, if you are willing to wait a little bit and possibly pay a few repeat listing fees, contact local bike clubs etc £100-£200 should be easily achievable and £250 if you wait for that one person who wants it. If it is in as good a condition as you say. You might be able to get a bit more if are prepared to demand more but for over £250 it could turn out to be a long haul.

New a similar frame is well over £600 http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/product-category/off-the-peg-frames/ but this is a very limited market.

If you build it as a complete bike then a lot of people will be forced to buy bits they don't want, such as the 5 speed drive train.

There is a real but limited market for the components where they have value rather than being unwanted, if someone wants say the rear mech then you can list it at say £40 and are being very reasonable or £100 and greedy if it is unused.

As a complete bike I would expect it to be a fairly easy sell at up to £250-£300, someone who really wants it maybe £500-£800 but finding that person is going to take time.

Its easy to say that this is a classic, but there are a limited number of people willing to pay for classics rather than just drool. :-)

By 1977 a frame with the Holdsworth name wasn't a one off craftsmen made, I had one bought from a small chain called The Toy and Cycle Centre.

In many ways this bike is similar to https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/raleigh-royal-23-5-frame-absolutely-stunning.263916/ although the Raleigh has unspecified material for the stays.

I am curious about the 531 sticker and the pink 531 does anyone know if this is just fading?

 

[Cycleops]

I am curious about the 531 sticker and the pink 531 does anyone know if this is just fading?

I’m getting grey. Maybe your device?

 

[CanucksTraveller]

The 531 should be very pale green of course, it looks about right to me.

 

[IanSmithCSE]

I’m getting grey. Maybe your device?

Green fading to grey does seem more reasonable, I know that there are French labels using red and 531 pro was in red but that had the word Professional on the sticker.

It's just that I have never seen pink or grey 531 digits.

Could well be my screen. :-)

 

[Grant Fondo]

What a lovely frame!

 

[IanSmithCSE]

Indeed it is, but it also 43 years old. :-)

Maybe the OP might consider some form of warranty if going for a higher price.

The last think most people would want is to pay a premium for the frame and then find that on hitting a pot hole the chainstays have rusted away from the inside enough to break away from the BB.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Indeed it is, but it also 43 years old. :-)

Maybe the OP might consider some form of warranty if going for a higher price.

The last think most people would want is to pay a premium for the frame and then find that on hitting a pot hole the chainstays have rusted away from the inside enough to break away from the BB.

Highly unlikely to have rusted inside if it has been in dry storage.

 

[midlife]

The OP would get best value out of selling the parts off separately. Look on eBay sold listing for similar items. The chainset and bottom bracket would also be best sold separately as well. Chainset looks like an LA 5 which can go for good money if in nearly NOS

 

[Fab Foodie]

With the wrap-over seat stays it looks like a ‘professional’

 

[midlife]

It has mudguard eyes so not a Pro, I'd have to go catalogue searching for the exact frame.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I’m getting grey. Maybe your device?

It looks grey on both my desktop and my tablet.

 

[misterbroon]

Welcome @misterbroon
It's in the iconic Holdsworth colours so adds value straight away.
Where are you based ?
There will be good interest in it for sure as for price who knows .
But very nice and a good find

I'm in Hartlepool UK. I'm sure it's a great bike as my Father in Law was a biking enthusiast, but kidney issues stopped his ambitions