Help identifying Holdsworth

[Dodge2015]

I wonder if the UK vintage bike experts out there can help me identify this frame. I purchased it second hand in 1972 in West London. The vendor told me that the frame had been renovated by Allins of Croydon. I built the bike into a respectable touring machine and have used it for many years. I now want to renovate it and checked out the internet to try and determine which Holdsworth model it was. From the design and brazed on bits, I judge it to be an early to mid 1960’s frame. The frame number does not fit with the published Holdsworth frame numbers. I noticed at the time that I bought it that the frame did not have a “Renovated by Allins” transfer on the seat tube which is something that they usually put on. Furthermore, several years ago, a Holdsworth “expert” said that he didn’t think it was a Holdsworth frame. The frame is clearly quite well made with neat clean brazing, Campag ends and Nervex lugs.

Frame facts:

Frame No: 796239 Forks No: 903

Seat tube: 22.5” Top Tube: 22.5”Angles: 72/72 Wheelbase: 41.5” Fork rake: 2.5”

Any clues as to what the frame is?

Is it worth spending money on renovating the frame?

 

[midlife]

Lugs look very Oscar Egg to me, not usually used on shabby frames... Nice

Shaun

 

[biggs682]

@Dodge2015 you got matching forks ?

looks nice does it ride nice

 

[wisdom]

Cant comment on whether or not its a holdsworth but its very nice and certainly worth doing, especially as you have had it for so long.It owes you nothing.

 

[screenman]

I thought Holdworth stopped at 30,000 do the frame number seems at odds.

 

[Dodge2015]

Probably will renovate frame but I would like to put a correct name on it. Six figure frame number suggests a medium to large frame builder unless the numbers are some sort of manufacturering code. The number is quite clear - 796239. I know that Holdsworth were acquiring several other marques in the 1960s. It is also apparent that their frame numbering system was a bit confused around this time. Obvious alternatives could be Carlton or Viking but the number does not fit their systems either. To me the forks look lesser quality and I don't think that they are original - number on forks is 903. Picture attached.


BB is english thread 24 tpi. I think that the frame is UK built but I could be wrong.

 

[classic33]

Allins is now Chain Reaction.

 

[classic33]

Head tube badge picture?

 

[Dodge2015]

Head tube badge picture attached. Damage to badge was my touring bag pressing against it. Bottom rivet is missing.

 

[nuovo_record]

I think the serial number is too large for a Holdsworth. I have an early 70s mistral which is 5 digit 4xxxx, and had an 1982 nuovo record which was 04xxxx. Sorry can't remember the exact numbers hence the xxxx. Forks and frame should match if a Holdsworth