1972 O'Brien Challenge - Holdsworth Replica - Vintage Bicycle Restoration

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FOR SALE: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18270600523...
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I’M BACK!
Well, not that I went anywhere but I’ve been quite quiet on the old bicycle work videos for the last couple of weeks. I hadn’t stopped... I was just working hard on getting a few builds done and so... here’s the first.
It’s a 1972 O’Brien Challenge. O’Brien is the brand and Challenge in the model. It’s honestly a bit of a mystery bike but if you look hard enough you’ll find a bicycle shop in Coventry under the name O’Brien that apparently produced this bike (and two others that I’ve found). Rumour has it small bicycle shops used to buy in bikes to spec and sell them with their own name on to try and recoup some of the lost business from the likes of Halfords, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad bike.
Looking over it, it had some nice components. The mudguards were in good shape, the derailleurs looked quite fancy and the lugs also look pretty special but the original paint was in pretty rough shape. I had hoped to clean it up and fix it up but the paint was too far gone. I stripped the bike (eventually - frozen stem video!) and took it to the powder coaters.
It was only there I decided to make a Holdsworth replica! Hours of polishing, finding some replacement parts and one rebuild later and I’m happy I made that decision!

[@TheDecguy]

After watching a fair number of your videos I’m starting to realize the large numbers of builders that were in business in the UK back in the old days. Growing up here in the USA it seems like only a few lightweight bikes were being built. So far you’ve introduced me to a large number of makers that I’ve never heard of. Keep up the cause.

[@MonkeyShred]

Oh yeah there were loads! Lots of independent bike shops created their own brand of bikes swelling the number in total!

[@peteryouds5634]

The addition of the Williams crankset was a perfect fit to provide the “retro” look of the Holdsworth Replica . I know close ratio chainrings don’t provide much gear range , but they look so cool !

[@BikeItUK]

Nice clean job and great lug work another bike saved, keep them coming buddy! All the best Andy

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks Andy. Plenty more to do! New one releasing on Saturday which I'm super pleased with. This one is out and about with it's new owner now and he seems to be enjoying it :)

[@BikeItUK]

Look forward to it

[@errcoche]

@@MonkeyShred That's good man. There's a certain merit in reclaiming a bike from the literal scrap heap and getting a bum on its saddle again. I am a bit of a bike snob and only like to work on frames with decent tubesets and bikes with somewhat high end components. That said, most people don't know or care to know about the qualities of cold drawn butted tubing and just want a bike that works and can get them about town.

[@sandyborrill9069]

Nice to see one of these frames again. I had one of these bikes back in the 1970s, so I can tell you the model name it was an O'Brien Challenge Border Prince. It had a steel quill stem as standard, instead of an alloy one. The original chainset on mine was a five arm and riveted together quite close ratio. I can recall that it was very very heavy, and wheels were built with Rigida dimpled rims.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks for the info Sandy!

[@Yonok2009]

Great to see a young man taking an interest in restoring a vintage bike :) congratulations 🎉 Great work

[@MonkeyShred]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RetroRareandRad]

Absolutely beautiful build. I've had a few bikes powder coated and I've always gotten great results. That orange color is striking. Great job!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks!

[@juancarloslopezrodrtiguez4787]

Amigo mío, la estás dejando genial, lo que más me gusta es el color naranja que le has dado le sienta de maravilla, eres un auténtico artista del metal, gracias por salvar una joya sobre ruedas que de no haber sido por tu impecable trabajo habría sido víctima del chatarrero/basurero, y es que no hay que reciclar hay que restaurar, porque en restaurar, está la esencia de la vida, en hacer revivir, en reconstruir, no recicles nunca, restaura siempre, reconstruye, para volver a vivir los viejos tiempos, esos en los que éramos felices, sin tanta tecnología como ahora.

[@roberts.reilly2171]

Gorgeous restoration. I'd happily buy and ride that.

[@MonkeyShred]

Well it is for sale ;)

[@roberts.reilly2171]

MonkeyShred link? Price? Where did you get the decals?

[@MonkeyShred]

The decals came from eBay. Various different ones to chose from but I went with the modern ones to make it a bit more obvious that is is a replica. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182706005239?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

[@jbirdperez6003]

it is a beauty .. a true survivor and a winner . love to ride bikes with old problem.. best therapy . rusty into gold

[@chrischatfield2935]

Lovely job mate, I love my 52 holdsworth monsoon frame. I had campag triggers and cable guides on it that are period to the frame but all modern running gear

[@Armin_27]

Truly fantastic and artistic work! I LOOOVE IT!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you!

[@willperezmusic]

Really enjoyed this restoration buddy, keep them coming

[@jeffbrunton3291]

I think the holes on the edge of the saddle are so you can put a lace through it to 'tie' the left and right sides together, pulling them inwards, so it is better for racing because it does not catch the insides of your thighs

[@RelaxedNinja]

Amazing restoration! Love your work and the way you do your videos Would love to see a video on your collection and your thoughts on what's worth collecting Love and support from Denmark!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you! Half of my collection is currently in bits though :P I do have a few nice rarities tucked away... I'm just trying to figure out what the best way to tackle them is.

[@blockhax6146]

Amazing work. That is a beauty

[@steedivegan4619]

Wish I had the skills to do this such a nice job.stumbled upon your channel yesterday and look forward to future vids.

[@clay9333]

Greetings from Utah USA. I really enjoyed that! Beautiful job. Thank you!

[@MonkeyShred]

Hello Utah! Thank you.

[@briand7381]

Would love to see a video of you cleaning and polishing the parts. They come out so perfect. Nice restoration!

[@LLOPEZJF]

Beautiful work !!

[@batbawls]

Mate, so nice. Wonderful job.

[@tyler.london]

The hours and money show beautifully here. Absolute stunner this bike is! It's color scheme is somewhat reminiscent of a Merckx/Gulf Racing collaboration!

[@MonkeyShred]

Ah yes it is! You're right!

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

That turned out very nice

[@peppermintpig974]

Amazing restoration. Three suggestions. 1. Rotate the brake cable holders down slightly so it doesn't block the logo on the top tube. 2. Add some white thread/shoe lace for the saddle since it has lacing points on it. 3. Get some hemp twine to finish the grips rather than electrical tape. Either blue or that khaki yellow to match the sidewalls perhaps?

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you. That is an option but my small amount of OCD was telling me the clamps had to be level and not angled :P I'm not keen on the idea of lacing the saddle though. The thought of that doesn't quite sit right with me adding colour there. Twine would be a good way to finish the tape too. I have seen it done before and then shellac'd for protection.

[@BIGDO13]

she came out excellente!!

[@suruat1963]

I would list this bike for $700 here in the States! Well worth every Penny! :)

[@jackhammer40k_]

If you see "et" on the end of a French word, you pronounce it "ay" like "ballet". You also don't pronounce the "h", so "Huret" is "uray".

[@errcoche]

You Ray! would be OK as well. The French "u" isn't a natural sound for an Englishman

[@christophermikrowelle7093]

@@errcoche Youray would not be okay.

[@errcoche]

@@christophermikrowelle7093 Dude, I speak French with a decent accent but I have also spent my whole life around Brits. You-ray is about the best you can hope for and a major improvement on Hue-Ray. I have had to listen to talk about Sinelli bars and stem, Campag No Low group sets and Bianchee frames so, for me at least, you-ray is music to my ears. Most Brits struggle with English.

[@christophermikrowelle7093]

@@errcoche And now please adjust your Dell-are-Ray please.

[@joannelouiserodriguez5966]

Love it well done

[@lifelong5425]

Nice work...again

[@timsmith9758]

Beautiful job there dude.. I want one now nice video

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks Tim!

[@madmikemtb105]

beautiful job

[@bullwhipjohnson8247]

The Orange and White looks really good on this bike. Since I saw your POV Video where your frame broke I've been worried about my old Peugeot. It's always felt wobbly and needs some repairs anyway. So, I wondered if you might have any suggestions on finding a suitable replacement. I'm looking for a more modern CroMo Touring frameset in a 54cm size for less than $100US. I've Google searched, tried Ebay etc... and still can't find exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks.

[@MonkeyShred]

CroMo and touring. Have you checked out any old mountain bikes? Early to mid 90s? My CX is an old Peugeot with CrMo and my wet weather bike is that Diamond Back Apex which is more of a tourer now. The "new" road bike frame I have is a 1990 Peugeot Electra with Reynolds 501 and I picked up that complete bike for £40... It was a HUGE bargain though.

[@dvn2085]

good job mate!!!

[@Jazzwayze]

I'd gladly ride such a bike; (as I am now approaching 80, with two metal knees, that's not likely. My old classic lightweight (1965 vintage) is still in my loft. Put the wheels on, make a few adjustments, and it would be roadworthy!) Nice job MS. That does look the business.

[@MonkeyShred]

Two metal knees? I feel like that's definitely in my future. What is this classic lightweight you speak of then?

[@tomdavidebsworth]

The Kirk Revolution I will save.... 🌹 MonkeyShred we live and love you....... 🌹

[@errcoche]

I think I would probably upgrade to hooded more comfortable brake levers and put some better bar tape on, something more cushioned and run it up further towards the stem. That would be deviating a little from the "original restoration" vibe but comfort takes precedence. Glad to see you put a good saddle on it. Point of contact are the most important thing for me.

[@MonkeyShred]

I do like to do use more mdoern components now and making a "resto-mod" of sorts. If I did it again I'd definitely be using hooded levers and slightly more modern components.

[@errcoche]

​@@MonkeyShred I am a lot older than you and I probably got my first ten speed in around 1977, a Motobecane with 24" wheels ( I was a short arse at 13 so I couldn't ride a 27" wheel bike ). My brother had a nice red Claude Butler that he allowed to be stolen. My Motobecane was stolen from the school bike sheds and then I had to ride a Raleigh 20 Shopper for two years ( not cool, took a lot of ribbing for that ). I got a nice NEW Elswick Hopper around 1980 - all alloy, including rims - and joined the local cycling club. I immediately developed a bike inferiority complex of course.

[@errcoche]

@Bill Bradford Just getting back into it. I live in South Florida and there is nowhere to to ride to really plus the almost year round intense sun is a problem. I am doing laps for fitness around the neighborhood - I have a 0.7 mile lap. I am up to 20 miles. Thinking about moving to a better cycling location. Got the wife and her sister on their bikes as well. Both going like little trains. My dad cycled up until he couldn't any more and that's more or less what I want to do in retirement so I have to move at some point. Would be nice to be in a club and do the Sunday run as well.

[@ukaszrozi8768]

Good job 👍🏻!

[@Anybloke]

Nice frame and a lovely job. It's very similar to my 1977 Grubb. First thing I would've done would be to cut the ugly lamp bracket off the RH fork blade. I'd fit a modern square taper sealed BB and perhaps a Stronglight chainset; 39-48. Dual pivot brakes such as Alhonga are available in deep drop and give superior stopping power. Toe clips and straps would be lovely too. Oh, and refit those mudguards. It looks wrong without them.

[@Alexander-gg1ed]

Ottimo lavoro

[@rozza381]

Hello mate. Just letting you know there was a Rory O'Brien, had 2 lightweight shops, one in Manor Park, E12 and the other in North Street, Romford. Rory sold up in the 70s but the shop stayed there in Romford until the 90s.

[@davidproudfoot3424]

Great job!!

[@MonkeyShred]

Cheers David!

[@renshulamith3648]

What's your process like for cleaning up the old hardware? This is a beautiful restoration!

[@desmondnutley6064]

Dedication dude ! lovely job , but please dude some nice gum hoods lol ps rear mech lovely

[@trimmerman1]

I just found this video. Beautiful, of course. I have noticed over time there are very few road bikes from the seventies. There is a good supply of bicycles from the eighties and newer. Do you have any idea why there are so few 70's 10 speeds around?

[@MonkeyShred]

No idea Jeff. Perhaps there was a big bike trade in deal in the 80's?

[@BruceChastain]

so minty fresh

[@veloman59]

Could be a Rory O'Brien from Romford Essex, Just a guess. He was established from the early 1940s. Beautiful job

[@cristian_enea]

Nice, well done! I would like to buy a bike like this restored by you :)

[@MonkeyShred]

eBay is the place I list everything. Until I get something else sorted.

[@WestcliffGoPro]

Sweet 👌🏻

[@richardadams4407]

Really nice job. Do you know the Ral colour the frame was powder coated in? Absolutely love that shade of orange 👍

[@sg472]

I wonder if you can buy a conversion kit with all the components needed or do you have to buy the items individually?

[@MonkeyShred]

Conversion kit?

[@sg472]

@@MonkeyShred ' yes. For example if you wanted to convert a regular bike to a 3/5/10 speed. Can you you buy a kit with all the items you'd need.

[@sarayguerra1687]

Buena reliquia ✌👀👃👀👊

[@ianvirco5897]

Recently found your video's, 30 years ago I was a keen cyclist ( infirmity prevents me now ) and I worked in cycle shops so I am familiar with cycles of this generation. This O'Brian might have been sold second hand in their cycle shop and might have come to them without a name so they put one of their stickers on it. I would guess the frame tubing of this bicycle is better than normal steel because the seat post is over 26mm, the frame tubes always remain a standard outside diameter so with high quality frame material the walls get thinner so the seat post has to be a slightly bigger than the 25.4mm ( one inch ) standard diameter. The chainset you found for this bicycle is what some cyclist called a 'double beat', used with widely spaced rear sprocket ratios this arrangement gave minor steps in ratio.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks for the info! Appreciate it.

[@ianvirco5897]

@@MonkeyShred No problem, Knowledge is useless unless it is shared. I've also remembered how to put on the 'hard plastic non-adhesive' handle bar tape, the most common brand back in the day was Bennotto ( Italian and probably spelt incorrectly ! ) Start at the stem end and finish by trapping the other end with the handle bar plug, the real trick being to leave the brake levers loose so as you can wind the tape right up to their clamping band both above below it, then when the tape is on tighten the brake levers down onto the tape, hope this helps.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you!

[@Mulberry2000]

what a lovely bike and well done. Did you sell it

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you. Yes, this one sold a while back now.

[@griftereck]

I had one of those front mechs. oh lets take it all to bits, to service it. Never got it back together tho. :(

[@markbattista6857]

Very nice job , how dose it ride ?

[@MonkeyShred]

It's quite a while ago now! I don't recall the ride.

[@DagenhamGilly]

Rory Obrien of Romford. Frames were made by Reynolds a local frame maker. You get a made to measure bike which Rory would fit you too, variable gauge and champag fit out.

[@MonkeyShred]

Could be.

[@Peeuf]

Nice ! I would have changed the rear derailleur for a huret too to match the front one and shifters, also bar tape a bit further on the bar :) otherwise great restauration !

[@MonkeyShred]

But the RX is so shiny! I would have liked to have gone further around too but with how tight I wrapped them I ran out of tape!

[@Peeuf]

The RX is nice ! You can keep it for an other project ;)

[@JohnAdams-kc8wx]

Very nice job. Did you sell it ?

[@MonkeyShred]

Oh yes. That bike is long since sold.

[@18psutton]

Hello did you find out about the obrian challenge badge .I've seen a chopper style 1970s style bike with the same badge ?

[@MonkeyShred]

Unfortunately not

[@weevil147]

Is there a reason to have two chainrings with such a close ratio? Surely doesn't give much benefit over a single chainring?

[@MonkeyShred]

Nope, not really! I honestly just looked for a good looking chainset at Eroica and found this one for a good price. You can switch the rings out with other sizes no bother should you want to. Any small chainring on a road bike is just decoration anyway ;)

[@monkeywrench5942]

Are most of the decals you use waterslide or vinyl stick on decals?

[@MonkeyShred]

Vinyl, at the moment. They're the easiest to use but waterslide shouldn't be a problem... I was an airfix junkie as a kid!

[@monkeywrench5942]

MonkeyShred I was wondering because I heard with powder coating you should use vinyl because water slide do not adhere well to the powder coat. Very nice build I live in the states and these british bikes just are not out there. I did find a falcon and robin hood but its always schwinn on this side of the pond when it comes to vintage 60s or 70s bikes unfortunately

[@MonkeyShred]

That is true. Water slide would be best with painted, you'd be able to seal them with lacquer too. That's a shame. I know Raleigh would have sold bikes in the US at that time but it is around the same time they had bought up all the competition. Here's a Raleigh US brochure from 1962. I actually have both the Blue Streak and Sprite in my collection (although waiting to be refurbished). www.veterancycleclublibrary.org.uk/ncl/pics/Raleigh%20catalogue%201962%20USA%20(V-CC%20Library).pdf

[@monkeywrench5942]

MonkeyShred the only vintage raleighs are usually on ebay and they bring high dollar here. I did find one near me from the 60s it was a 3 speed and the price was around $150 american. It was so clean that only a tune up was needed

[@pixiedixie3682]

In those days 40,s and 50,s some cyclist just got one chain ring an five speeds, if you don't race , don't need a second chainring. I got one , old Raleigh , my commuting one!

[@MonkeyShred]

This bike is from the 70's. In the 40's most cyclists would have had one chainring and up to 3 gears. Derailleurs didn't really start till come in till the late 40's and double chainrings probably didn't make a notable appearance till much later on.

[@delmonti]

man alive!.... thats a corker!

[@jeffbrunton3291]

Great job Planet X do lots of Holdsworth replica gear that would add to this

[@deskelly9313]

A thing of great beauty. Bargain at 250

[@2Truth2you]

An O' Brien is worth more than a Claud.

[@MonkeyShred]

Depends on the year / model really!

[@jamesgalloway303]

M0nkeyshred you've done a lovely job there, It's areal beaut! What was the RAL number of the orange?

[@waltbellamy4862]

good job!!!!:

[@owenpreece4508]

Why did you paint it bright orange

[@MonkeyShred]

Because it's a Holdsworth Replica?

[@tonystone3397]

Is it still for sale.

[@charlie0052]

tony Stone What size is it? Would you send it to Spain?

[@michaelbritton9778]

O'Brian challenge was early 70s I owned one paid £40 brand new from catalogue the rear gear was huret and not the one you have there rather heavy bike but strong done a fair amount of racing on that bike was O'Brian anything to do with Holdsworth I own one of them now

[@ZER0value]

on the head tube is the peugeot cat right?

[@MonkeyShred]

Nope. Holdsworth. It's the modern Holdsworth badge

[@ZER0value]

MonkeyShred I mean on the original headtube badge!

[@MonkeyShred]

Ahhh. No not quite. It's erm, a very basic looking thing. Bit of a weird creature. Looks to have a lizards tongue or fire. Bird like feet. Strange thing.

[@johnb.9806]

I put little bits of tape over the clamps before putting on the bar tape to hide them.

[@MonkeyShred]

I would normally but I would have needed more tape (or a looser wrap I guess)

[@toastythebear]

i have a holdsworth frame that i plan to upgrade to modern parts

[@Koofumhead]

I actually have an O'Brien Challenge Bullet frame set in my shed. It's pretty mediocre compared to yours. Perhaps I'll make a replica of it too.

[@TheSLODC]

Saddle clamp is backwards. The nuts are always behind the shaft.

[@Phiyedough]

Probably Coventry Challenge as I think O'Brien was a dealer rather than a manufacturer.

[@pawekrupka4764]

That holder on right fork... What for?

[@MonkeyShred]

It's for an old headlamp.

[@unternehme]

I think the paintwork could have been kept, at least that's what I would have done.

[@Peo_Sahlin]

That chainset is as close to 1x as you can get, but still have 2x.

[@MonkeyShred]

I think it was a tandem crankset technically but Raleigh did spec a 49/46 as a double in the 60s

[@timsmith9758]

Saddle clamp is back the front though

[@MonkeyShred]

See I always wonder what the "proper" way is because I've picked up bikes with them on both ways.

[@motomehanicar459]

Man, everything is god except bar wrapping, it looks bad when you see the gap around brake levers.

[@ElliotFlowers]

How does selling it for 250 pounds makes it worth doing a restoration to sell?

[@MonkeyShred]

Depends what your aim is I guess. If you aim to make a living out of it, it's definitely not worth it. Bikes are worth more in parts (most of the time). I like the tinkering aspect and if I can make a few quid back - I'm happy.

[@ElliotFlowers]

Fair call. I just see a lot of work going into your projects. Good on you. I really liked the folding bike one you did.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks! Sometimes it's hard seeing them go with a low value but at the end of the day, I've had my enjoyment.

[@BigDuke6ixx]

Easy worth 500 today.

[@MonkeyShred]

I wish it sold for that.

[@stefarina]

Bocciato! Imparagonabile con la completezza dei restauri eseguiti da "The Vintage Bike Factory". Non ci ha fatto vedere niente dello smontaggio e del restauro di tutti i componenti (guarnitura, manubrio, cerchi, ganasce freni, deragliatori, ecc.). Nel rimontaggio degli stessi componenti, non ci ha fatto vedere niente delle varie regolazioni dei deragliatori e delle ganasce freni né, tantomeno, del ripristino delle sfere dei cuscinetti del movimento centrale e del movimento sterzo e di come vanno rimontati. Ha riverniciato tutto il telaio senza far vedere in che modo ha rimosso la vecchia vernice e di quale sistema ha usato per la verniciatura (bomboletta spry o a compressore). In compenso, la prima cosa che ha rimontato è stata la pompa. BOCCIATOOO!

[@twizzlestickx7]

Youve put seat clamp on wrong way round yah numpty 😂 and its hurret 😂 there's no W in it 😂

[@MonkeyShred]

Correct. The seat clamp is on the wrong way and yes I did pronounce Huret wrong but ‘hurret’ isn’t correct either. The correct pronunciation is mentioned in the comments. Silent H and more of an EY ending than an ET

[@twizzlestickx7]

@@MonkeyShred its hurret always has been its you that can't say it properly 😂

[@MonkeyShred]

@@twizzlestickx7 You might want to ask the French about that.

[@twizzlestickx7]

@@MonkeyShred you just can't say hurret properly 😂😂😂😂😂

[@virgilfulton4426]

... but it's not a Holdsworth. To each his own.

[@MonkeyShred]

virgil fulton what gave it away? 😂

[@ericfreidenreich6089]

I don't understand why you changed from the original brand. Isn't it dishonest to label it a Holdsworth?

[@MonkeyShred]

I can see where dishonesty would creep in. I've been completely honest about it being a "replica" though.

[@JoaoPereira-qm2qi]

You spoke verymuch

[@twizzlestickx7]

This guy always wants silly money for bikes its worth about £100

[@MonkeyShred]

I think your valuation is off just a little bit there. By a long shot. If you have a look through the Argos catalogue you might be able to find something more in your price range.

[@twizzlestickx7]

@@MonkeyShred ive got a original raleigh europa thats only worth about £100 its the TI thats worth money

[@twizzlestickx7]

@@MonkeyShred ps ive probably got more bikes that you ive got 5 in my front room 😂

[@MonkeyShred]

@@twizzlestickx7 A bike is worth whatever someone is willing to pay. There’s time, cost and effort that goes in to restoring a bike and people appreciate that. It may not be something you respect or understand though, clearly. Congratulations on your five bikes.

[@twizzlestickx7]

@@MonkeyShred ive got alot more than 5 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@cedricstrydom4548]

You talk to much Bud, just build the bloody bike.

[@MonkeyShred]

Aye aye Captain. You can always skip ahead or hit the mute button if you don't want to listen :)