Re: [CR] Holdsworthy survived intact for 60 years then this

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Campagnolo)

Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:19:56 -0400
To: Rendezvous Classic <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "John Betmanis" <johnb@oxford.net>
In-Reply-To: <4A3945F6.4080902@lexairinc.com>
Subject: Re: [CR] Holdsworthy survived intact for 60 years then this


At 03:37 PM 17/06/2009 -0400, George Allen wrote:
>I know we've gone here before and I usually don't mind too much about
>parting out bikes except panto or custom bits. However, this old girl
>survived intact for 60 years then suffered this fate. It'll be nigh
>impossible to put it all back together again. What a pity.
>
>URL:
>http://ebay.com/<blah> =110402963962
>Ebay Item #: 110402963962

I would agree. And the seller has clearly been taken to task for parting out this bike in an attempt to maximize his profit.

His explanation:

"I do agree with those who have commented that it's a shame to 'break' a bicycle that had remained original for so long. The reason for so doing is that the componentry is something of a 'mish-mash', virtually nothing relates directly to anything else in terms of either Marques or indeed quality. This was, of course, entirely normal at the time of build: given the paucity of equipment it was usual to use whatever was available...often the choice was extremely limited. In addition, some of the components are hardly 'user-friendly', and I suspect that a new owner might wish to change them anyway...the primitive gears being an example.

"The only component that relates directly to the frame is the handlebar stem, which is a hand-made Holdsworth steel, with cutout/lugs matched to those of the frame. This will be made available via a private Ebay listing to the winning bidder before being generally offered...if it's the right length for the new owner then it would be very nice for the frame and stem to stay together.

"The rest of the componentry will all be offered for auction, so the buyer of the frame will have the chance to 'cherry pick' any of the original gear that they might like...obviously there will be good shipping discounts for any multiple purchases. Given the disparity of the condition, quality etc of the components I think that is the best way... "

Well, I don't buy it! The bike was custom ordered in 1949 with components available in the day. What is a collector to do with it today, other than attempt to build it up again as it was? Use the frame as a wall hanger? Build an anachronism with newer components? Hack off the braze-ons and gear hanger and build a "fixie"? Yeah, right! This is clearly a very transparent business ploy.

John Betmanis
Woodstock, Ontario
Canada