1950s Holdsworth - advice needed...

I've had this bike in my cellar for a while. It was given to me by a guy I know who used to race on it but hasn't used it for years; he was clearing out his shed and wanted to give it to me because I "know a bit about bikes".

It was clearly once a very nice bike - I'm still surprised by how light it is. There's a Brooks saddle that came with it that I've removed to rub some Proofide into to see if I can revive it, but I'm not sure if the rest of the bike is worth saving.

All the kit on it is old. While in some respects this is clearly a good thing, it's possible that a lot of it is also therefore knackered. I initially wanted to do a full resto job on it, strip everything back and clean it (the original paintwork is still in pretty good nick so a very detailed clean and polish would suffice) but I haven't got round to it and as it looks like my life may be about to get more complicated (we're planning a family), I'm not sure whether I'll have time or whether it's worth it.

What do you wise chaps think?

http://stuf.fotopic.net/p60722420.html
http://stuf.fotopic.net/p60722421.html
http://stuf.fotopic.net/p60722422.html

...and I've just had a look at the saddle and it doesn't appear to have a stamp on it. Although it's coated in the same fine layer of rust as all the other metal parts, so maybe I just need to get busy with the Brasso...

: P

what ever you decide to do that,try to keet it in old look,as it is beautiful old road bike that u dont see much around anymore.

Potentially a good and interesting bike but it's actually a bit of a mixture. There are definitely some 50's period fittings on there (GB bars and stem, Gran Sport gear, Stronglight/TA chainset) but the frame itself looks more 60's with the plain Prugnat lugs and the Universal centre pull brakes. The gear lever also looks a bit out of period, perhaps the original Campag one broke or bent.

It needs a bit of TLC, stripping down and the frame lightly T-Cutting and the chrome gently cleaned. I think most of the components will clean and polish up OK and then you'll have a very nice bike.

Well if you decide not to go ahead with the restoration then perhaps you would consider selling it to me?! My interest is going from retro to classic more and more by the day....