Chainstay frame crack on a steel Woodrup frame: advice please

[DCLane]

A couple of days ago I picked up a late 1970's Woodrup I'd bought via eBay. Today I got the chance to give it a check-over and, under a layer of dirt, found what is a chainstay hole with a crack that goes around most of the drive-side chainstay.

I doubt the seller would have known about it; this was hidden under a layer of oil and dirt underneath the crankset and it wasn't their bike.

Is this weld-able? If so, any suggestions please? The likelihood is I won't now be keeping the frameset, but others may be interested and I'd like to consider repair options.

 

[Vantage]

I had a similar crack on a Proflex Attack chainstay (full suspension bike) donkeys years ago.
Atlantic Boulevard in bury welded it and patched over it. I raced that same bike plenty of times afterwards with no issues. It was about £90 20 odd years ago. Nowadays? £Billions probably. It can be saved though.

 

[Kingfisher101]

Woodrupts would be able to give you a price for the repair.
You could return it to the seller from Ebay. They will have to give you a refund.

 

[Reynard]

To me, that looks like it's gone past the point of no return. I don't think a straight-up weld will be enough (thin metal, crack close to being 2/3 the way round, marked levels of corrosion).

For a repair, I'd be wanting a sleeve over that for a belt-and-braces approach. But is it worth it?

 

[Landsurfer]

The hole is the issue not the crack … I would expect the hole is a result of internal corrosion and the crack is a result of that corrosion … Choices .. treat the internal corrosion chemically and have an external “patch” brazed in place … which should last … but what is the condition of the other tubes internally ?
Frankly … the risk is very high … scrap it or return for refund .. morally , if you return it the vendor may realist it full of filler ….
Best result, get a 50% refund and saw the frame into bits and recycle the steel ….. I would …. Just to take it out of use …

 

[Gunk]

Ask for a refund via eBay

 

[Jameshow]

Oh no...

Looks like the chain has rubbed into the chain stay.

The only real repair is a replacement chainstay, do able, but not cheap I expect £100+ paint....

 

[DCLane]

@Kingfisher101 & @Gunk - given I got a second bike from the seller plus a load of parts and tools I won't be asking for a refund. The value of the parts on the Woodrup alone out-weighs the purchase price.

That's why I'm looking at the possibility of repair.

 

[All uphill]

I'd consider selling it as it is for someone else to have it repaired, rather than investing lots of time and energy yourself to end up with a frame that will raise doubts in a buyer's mind.

 

[cyberknight]

4 letter word for that ..... skip
Seriously it is probably repairable but it depends if you to spend the time , effort and cash to have it done.

 

[KneesUp]

Not quite local to you - but Vernon Barker in Sheffield has a lovely clear price-list for frame repairs - https://www.vernonbarkercycles.co.uk/prices_frames.html A single chain stay replacement starts at £130.

They're really nice to deal with too.

 

[FrankCrank]

I'd happily repair that, and it won't look pretty, and only if it was my own bike.
Doubt any commercial welder would chance a go, too much risk if you ask me.

 

[Landsurfer]

Not quite local to you - but Vernon Barker in Sheffield has a lovely clear price-list for frame repairs - https://www.vernonbarkercycles.co.uk/prices_frames.html A single chain stay replacement starts at £130.

They're really nice to deal with too.

As I said … replace one chainstay …. Then the top tube collapses … If you’ve corrosion in one tube …????

 

[wafter]

I'd question the efficacy of attempting to repair that crack with a weld (depending on wall thickness / material / welder competency); IMO that warrants a replacement stay which is probably going to cost more than the frame is worth.

Since you don't plan on keeping it and seem to be satisfied with the purchase, worth punting it on for a nominal sum with full disclosure so that the new owner can sort it as they see fit..?

 

[Ian H]

That looks like the result of dropping the chain a few times and not being careful about unjamming it. The crack has spread from the weakened area. Any decent frame-builder should be able to give you an opinion as to whether the rest of the frame is sound and is worth repairing.