Holdsworth 'Special': Seeking fork or fork repair

[digital domestique]

Hello,

I am in need of a fork replacement for an 80's vintage Holdsworth Special. This was a very well set up bike that I bought a few years ago and after some updating (replacing 27" wheels with 700c and excellent tires, Mafac brakes to clear the tires, etc) have been riding it a bit. However, it had an unfortunate accident falling off a rack at 100kph. Surprisingly, the damage was only a <badly> bent fork and some scrapes of the saddle and handlebars.

I'm exploring a couple options for getting this back on the road:
- a new carbon fork: it'd be nice, light, but lacking in soul.
- having a custom steel fork made to my specifications (increased offset to reduce trail).
- finding a genuine Holdsworth fork replacement.

Opinions? Sources?

 

[weareHKR]

Ouch! Have you tried eBay?
I've no clue on road bikes but there is a lot of guys in here who do...

 

[midlife]

£133 for new blades, plus paint. How much were you thinking of spending?

 

[Ian H]

Richard Hallett has built a couple of excellent bikes for me. He also does a nice line in retro frames (inch sterrers and quill stems). He might be persuaded to build a fork to your specification. There are probably others about who would do similarly.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Hello,

I am in need of a fork replacement for an 80's vintage Holdsworth Special. This was a very well set up bike that I bought a few years ago and after some updating (replacing 27" wheels with 700c and excellent tires, Mafac brakes to clear the tires, etc) have been riding it a bit. However, it had an unfortunate accident falling off a rack at 100kph. Surprisingly, the damage was only a <badly> bent fork and some scrapes of the saddle and handlebars.

I'm exploring a couple options for getting this back on the road:
- a new carbon fork: it'd be nice, light, but lacking in soul.
- having a custom steel fork made to my specifications (increased offset to reduce trail).
- finding a genuine Holdsworth fork replacement.

Opinions? Sources?

Argos Cycles, Bristol.

 

[carpenter]

I don't think a carbon fork would "look right" - that is/was a lovely looking bike that you have there.
eBay for donor bike/frame?

 

[carpenter]

or, if you don't mind a lamp bracket (and wrong side for states )

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1978-VIN...sh=item23ef784b8d:g:5HkAAOSw55ZgM~8h&LH_BIN=1

no idea what postage would be though

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

The cheap and dirty option is get hold of any old scrap steel frame around 23"/23 1/2" with a 1" threaded headset and 27" or 700c wheels and rob the fork off it. OK, it will most likely be hi-tensile not the 531 that the Holdsworth fork is probably made of but it will get you a working bike you are able to ride. A rattle can will take care of the paint and you are good to go.

 

[T4tomo]

The OP appears to be stateside...

 

[Specialeyes]

I think @SkipdiverJohn has it - a suitable 1" threaded headset donor bike or scour ebay for a 1" threaded Reynolds fork. A quick search just now on eBay has a few stateside....

But equally importantly, I absolutely love the 90s Alfa Spider in the background! 😍

 

[digital domestique]

I think @SkipdiverJohn has it - a suitable 1" threaded headset donor bike or scour ebay for a 1" threaded Reynolds fork. A quick search just now on eBay has a few stateside....

But equally importantly, I absolutely love the 90s Alfa Spider in the background! 😍

Ah, yes, someone with sharp eyes for the easter eggs I leave around. But you do need a bit of corrective glasses since that is an '87 Quadrifoglio (side skirts plus fiberglass hardtop).

 

[digital domestique]

£133 for new blades, plus paint. How much were you thinking of spending?

I have a soft spot for brit bikes and this one is particularly nice so I'd consider 133ukp. Will have to investigate as other bike projects get finished.

 

[digital domestique]

The OP appears to be stateside...

Far end of stateside, as it were, in the intermountain desert between the Rockies and Sierra Nevadas

 

[digital domestique]

The cheap and dirty option is get hold of any old scrap steel frame around 23"/23 1/2" with a 1" threaded headset and 27" or 700c wheels and rob the fork off it. OK, it will most likely be hi-tensile not the 531 that the Holdsworth fork is probably made of but it will get you a working bike you are able to ride. A rattle can will take care of the paint and you are good to go.

Arrgh, no, I can do better for a Holdsworth. Have sufficient other bikes to ride, don't let me get started.

 

[digital domestique]

I don't think a carbon fork would "look right" - that is/was a lovely looking bike that you have there.
eBay for donor bike/frame?

It remains a lovely bike! apparently main triangle is still straight despite the prang.