Neglected aluminium frame.

[Rhythm Thief]

This belongs to a chap I know who does a lot of cycling but is not exactly hot on maintenance. I've just taken £300 off him for rebuilding his steel framed tourer from what looked like a bike that had been fished out of a canal, and he was so pleased with the result that he's commissioned me to restore this, which is his LeJog bike from a few years back
The trouble is, it's absolutely f***ed. Both wheel rims are worn out, the chain, chainrings and cassette are shot and everything with bearings needs replacing. None of that is insurmountable, but I suspect the frame is at the end of its life; I certainly wouldn't be happy riding it. You can see the pile of powder that came out of the BB shell when I took out the bottom bracket, and there are other places where it's corroded. In short, though this was a decent bike in its day and it clearly has some sentimental value for its owner, I think it might be the end of the road for it, although I don't have much experience with aluminium bikes. What's your opinion?

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Yep, I would say that is well and truly done.

 

[wafter]

You could probably get it going to an acceptable standard, although I share your reservations.

I'd give it to him straight - could potentially be sorted but would cost far more than the bike's worth, plus you have concerns about the ongoing longevity of the frame and would advise against doing any further work.

If he still chooses to proceed with eyes fully open, crack on with impunity.

 

[Mr Celine]

Can't see anything wrong with that.

This was my Sirrus after 15 years of winter use plus all year round commuting.

This is it after scraping back some of the paint and attacking it with bradawls and sharpened screwdrivers -

I couldn't poke anything through it and the underlying frame was clearly sound. Off it went for a £60 bead blast and powder coat.

Looks better than it did new.

 

[Drago]

As Mr Celine suggests, that looks ok to me. Provided those BB threads are ok I cant see anything elsewhere that gives me cause for concern.

Ideally a frame blast and powdercoat would reset things, but even as it is now it appears good for a while yet.

 

[biggs682]

As long as no cracks in the frame it should be ok to go again

 

[Tail End Charlie]

It looks like there is only surface pitting. Whether or not it is worth refurbing, depends on how attached he is to his LEJOG bike.

 

[cyberknight]

As said above its fixable but it depends on how much he loves the bike as it is going to cost a fair bit to get it looking and riding again .
The BB shell you could get a replacement that screws into itself if the threads are toast

 

[PaulSB]

It looks like there is only surface pitting. Whether or not it is worth refurbing, depends on how attached he is to his LEJOG bike.

The images would suggest he's not very attached to it all. I can't imagine letting my bikes get in to that state. 🙁

 

[Rhythm Thief]

The images would suggest he's not very attached to it all. I can't imagine letting my bikes get in to that state. 🙁

I'm with you there. The last one of his I serviced looked like it had been stored at the bottom of a canal.😂

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

The images would suggest he's not very attached to it all. I can't imagine letting my bikes get in to that state. 🙁

Very good point!

 

[Ajax Bay]

though this was a decent bike in its day and it clearly has some sentimental value for its owner,

I'd put it back together the way it was and invite him to give it a really good clean, including the bits you assess are "worn out".
That would allow him to demonstrate his affection for it and assure the currently 'unclear' sentimental value.
And after all that, agree a reasonable per hour labour cost.
A decent bike in its day? Was it?