Holdsworth Mistral

[PeterPerfect]

I know this has been done to death with frame numbers on these so I'm not going to go there!

I believe mine is a 1974/5 Mistral with Camapgnolo shifters, front and rear mech. 531 frame and forks, TA Specialities chainset, lovely Rigida touring alloy wheels, Olimpic (Spain) pedals (these are really nice), Mafac 2000 gold centre pull brakes with Mafac gold levers with un-perished and undamaged Mafac hoods (never seen a pair intact before). A lovely set of drop bars and stem. Campagnolo micro adjust seat post. 58 cm square frame. Seat post and stem are smooth and free. BB is lovely and smooth. No dents to the frame at all nor rust but it could do with a good clean and polish.

My question is: Is it worth restoring myself or should I sell as is to let someone else do it to their own personal preference?

I've restored and reconditioned plenty of bikes in the past but this was is so original and rides so well I'm dubious as to the way ahead with it?

What with L'Eroica coming up it would be a really lovely bike when finished.

Any ideas?

 

[Spokesmann]

I would have a go yourself, there is nothing there to scare the average mechanic. Depend what you intend to do with the frame. If the machine needs to look top dollar, get a professional to do it - maybe. Its up to you. Well worth tidying up though.

 

[Jamiedyer]

I would most likely have a go myself as its basically all there, it just needs a really good clean and some hard graft with the polishing. Some bar tape,cables etc but it with a bit of a deep clean and polish it will come up looking really nice I'm sure.
If you like it and want to ride it then I would just make a start, but if its to sell on then its up to yourself. Obviously a quick clean and polish would make it more attractive, but even as it is I am sure you would sell it easily as its a nice machine thats all there.

Jamie

 

[jules_b]

That is really nice! It will restore really well and should not be too difficult, especially if you have done it before. I would not repaint it at all as it looks good how it is. Not sure I would sell it though as it should be a great bike to use. Check out mine in my sig

 

[PeterPerfect]

Re: Team Colours

Thanks Jules_b.

That's very nice. A lot of love and attention and a few bob been parted with on that and it shows. Love the team colours but I'm going to keep mine canary yellow. I've got hold of a much more user friendly period Stronglight chainset to replace the TA one (Straight swap with my very friendly and helpful LBS owner who has a customer that needs one). Mine is the touring model so I need some long ESGE mudguards. I have a pair of long gold ones but they're for skinnier wheels and tyres than I've got as I'll keep it 27 x 1 1/4. I've got hold of a not very good 5 speed free wheel (seriously regretting parting with a brand new period Regina one last year). It's currently got a good quality 5 speed time trial block, probably 14-20 that's of no use to me and never will be.

Here what I think I'll need:

1. Brooks saddle (preferably a honey or brown professional) ideally with loops for a saddlebag.

2. New inner and outer brake and gear cables.

3. Tan sidewall 27 x 1 x 1/4 tyres.

4. Already got some nicely worn honey/brown Brooks bar tape.

5. ESGE or early SKS long mudguards 45 mm.

That's it really; apart from a lot of time, patience, elbow grease and cursing.

 

[Jonny69]

I would most likely have a go myself as its basically all there, it just needs a really good clean and some hard graft with the polishing. Some bar tape,cables etc but it with a bit of a deep clean and polish it will come up looking really nice I'm sure.
If you like it and want to ride it then I would just make a start, but if its to sell on then its up to yourself. Obviously a quick clean and polish would make it more attractive, but even as it is I am sure you would sell it easily as its a nice machine thats all there.

Jamie

Indeed, I don't see anything that needs restoring!

 

[PeterPerfect]

Re: Holdsworth

Thanks for the input.

I tried it out on a short ride and it's just too big for me. I guess I would have been better with a 56 cm frame.

I'm going to sell it for what I paid plus the courier if it's needed. I'll post it on here at the weekend when I've got more time to devote to it.