1953 Holdsworth Whirlwind

[Glug]

Hiya Folks,
I promised to post some info on this, and I've just done the photo shoot.

Got if off Ebay last October as my state retirement present.
It's 23" with original paint which turns out to be cromovelato magenta, but the chrome is a bit missing and a bit rusty.



I repainted it with fake cromovelato - translucent enamel over chrome guilding paint. It's not quite cromovelato but looks ok.
Doing it properly would require rechroming and a good paint shop, but somebody could still do that one day.

I was persuaded by the nutters on bikeforums.net to try full period gear, and it does work. It's just not as slick or fun (yet) as my 1961 Holdsworth Cyclone with 80's SunTour gear (Cyclone + Power Shifters + New Winner ultra-6). I'm expecting improvement when I work out which bits need adjusting.

Current build:
Front: Cyclo Benelux mark 7 rod shifter + Williams C34 50/32
Rear: Cyclo Benelux mark 8 Tourist 5 speed + SunTour ultra-5 13-15-17-20-28 [-18]
Pedals: Lyotard Berthet M23
Bars: GB Tourmalet
Stem: GB spearpoint 70mm
Brakes: Mafac Racer
Seatpost: Campy 1044
Wheels: Campy Nuovo Tipo large flange + Mavic Monthlery Route + Vittoria Corsa Control 30mm tubular
Shifter: Simplex 50s
Bell: Crane Suzu 5cm brass - possibly the best bell ever

The rod shifter actually works really well - even shifting 18 cogs. I just takes a bit of practise to reach it.
The Simplex shift + Cyclo Benelux Tourist is more effort - but I'm still making adjustments and learning where the gear stops are.

Richmond Park yesterday:



Drive:


Cockpit


Bars:


Still a work in progress and I can't help thinking how well it would ride with a SunTour Cyclone GT on the back and Power Shifters

Edit: Full gnarly details at https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1301557-1953-holdsworth-whirlwind.html

 

[sjcprojects]

The paint is looking nice in the sunshine - that can’t have been an easy job. A definite head-turner, that’s for sure.

 

[Glug]

The paint is looking nice in the sunshine - that can’t have been an easy job. A definite head-turner, that’s for sure.

The original cromovelato was even better

 

[Jonny69]

Not a bad job, looks really good! I’m amazed the rear mech can handle that much gearing. I haven’t put one through its paces but I was under the impression the Benelux only had a limited capacity.

 

[Dicky71]

Hiya Folks,
I promised to post some info on this, and I've just done the photo shoot.

Got if off Ebay last October as my state retirement present.
It's 23" with original paint which turns out to be cromovelato magenta, but the chrome is a bit missing and a bit rusty.

View attachment 957050

I repainted it with fake cromovelato - translucent enamel over chrome guilding paint. It's not quite cromovelato but looks ok.
Doing it properly would require rechroming and a good paint shop, but somebody could still do that one day.

I was persuaded by the nutters on bikeforums.net to try full period gear, and it does work. It's just not as slick or fun (yet) as my 1961 Holdsworth Cyclone with 80's SunTour gear (Cyclone + Power Shifters + New Winner ultra-6). I'm expecting improvement when I work out which bits need adjusting.

Current build:
Front: Cyclo Benelux mark 7 rod shifter + Williams C34 50/32
Rear: Cyclo Benelux mark 8 Tourist 5 speed + SunTour ultra-5 13-15-17-20-28 [-18]
Pedals: Lyotard Berthet M23
Bars: GB Tourmalet
Stem: GB spearpoint 70mm
Brakes: Mafac Racer
Seatpost: Campy 1044
Wheels: Campy Nuovo Tipo large flange + Mavic Monthlery Route + Vittoria Corsa Control 30mm tubular
Shifter: Simplex 50s
Bell: Crane Suzu 5cm brass - possibly the best bell ever

The rod shifter actually works really well - even shifting 18 cogs. I just takes a bit or practise to reach it.
The Simplex shift + Cyclo Benelux Tourist is more effort - but I'm still making adjustments and learning where the gear stops are.

Richmond Park yesterday:

View attachment 957057

Drive:
View attachment 957058

Cockpit
View attachment 957059

Bars:
View attachment 957061

Still a work in progress and I can't help thinking how well it would ride with a SunTour Cyclone GT on the back and Power Shifters

Edit: Full gnarly details at https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1301557-1953-holdsworth-whirlwind.html

Is there a welsh connection or do you just like the flag?
Fabulous colour in combination with the ornate lugs. What's not to like about it?

 

[Glug]

Not a bad job, looks really good! I’m amazed the rear mech can handle that much gearing. I haven’t put one through its paces but I was under the impression the Benelux only had a limited capacity.

The 1957 Cyclo Benelux mark 8 Tourist was available in 3, 4 or 5 speed and had a wrap of 35 and max cog 28.
Really quite impressive for the time.
I actually got it to work with a 32 cog but decided to stay within spec for the moment.
The 5 speed shifts the pulley 23.8mm so it only just handles SunTour ultra-6 24.5mm and works better on ultra-5.
Here's me making a cheap one: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1305983-cyclo-benelux-mark-8-tourist.html

The Cyclo Benelux mark 7 is the more limited range one.

1960 Cyclo catalogue:

 

[Glug]

Is there a welsh connection or do you just like the flag?
Fabulous colour in combination with the ornate lugs. What's not to like about it?

My middle name is Llewellyn

Velo Heaven supply my Welsh flag plugs: https://www.velo-heaven.co.uk/produ...os=9&_sid=0ba076c30&_ss=r&variant=11403168641
But it's worth checking them on ebay to see if they're really sold out (they are atm).

 

[Dicky71]

At least one of your parents have a welsh connection, i would think. It's not easy for all to pronounce that name correctly .

 

[Glug]

At least one of your parents have a welsh connection, i would think. It's not easy for all to pronounce that name correctly .

Both, and my sister was taught medecine by JPR Williams

 

[Dicky71]

Both, and my sister was taught medecine by JPR Williams

I think I saw JPR once in a hospital I was at when he was doing the rounds visiting patients. I think it was either 77 or 78. You don't forget those sideburns in hurry.