repairing a cracked steel frame

[darriejohn]

Hi

After 24 years my beloved 501 frame has cracked aroound the stem tube/down tube joint.

I love this frame to bits as I grew up with it and have changed the bits over the years and it is has been a really good friend to me and a great bike to boot......

what I am wondering is is it worth repairing and what prices do frame builders charge in anyone's experience?

THe alternative is to find an old frame and build a bike around it I guess

thanks

Darren

 

[mickle]

The cost of replacing the down tube and re-enamelling will cost in the region of £250 to £300 from one of the reputable frame builders/ refurbishers such as Argos Racing Cycles, Roberts or Dave Yates.

You could buy a 531 complete bike second-hand for that kind of money. I fear your trusty old frame has bitten the dust.

 

[asterix]

Ellis Briggs replaced the top tube of my 531 steed after it got dented about 3 years ago. IIRC it was £122 incl a re-enamel (they sub'ed out) in metallic silver. Lovely job, you wouldn't know.

(They'd have filled the dent but it was too extensive.)

 

[peanut]

It could be brazed DIY but the problem is always heat. Too much and you lose the braze in the other parts of the lug . Plus you should really use a jig to keep the frame straight during brazing.
The chance are that it could be caused by internal rust which would make the rest of the frame suspect too.

I wouldn't spend a lot on it but if its really important (sentimental attachment) then take it to a local firm that do brazing repairs to say car radiators. They will have the necessary expertise and delicate skills to attempt a repair.
Or contact a couple of your local cycling clubs. They often know members who do a bit of frame repair/building out of their garage.

Otherwise strip it clean it up and hang it on the wall as a piece of art

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Bin it.

A frame is only a thing, nothing to get sentimental about. In fact, attacking it with a very large hammer would be satisfyingly theraputic.

 

[bobg]

I was looking at a bike on Lime Street Station last year ... attracted by the lump of sleeving on the downtube !! The owner said he cut out the offending damage and glued a sleeve it ... it had been fine for a couple of years indeed he did a Wirral to N Wales run every Wednesday on it He said ( apologetically ) that it was probably due for a replacement bodge. I visited him some time later at his home and not only was he a pretty good cyclist ( or at least about 100% faster than me ) but he had a vast collection of excellent machines hanging up in his workshop. I wonder if he's still alive...........

 

[darriejohn]

Thanks to you all for the replies. I am thinking that maybe I should give up on it. There is a little piece of something or other that has rattled around for years and not the idea of internal rust is attacking me.

Next off then I will be off to another board here to ask where best to go for a second hand 501 or 531 frame....

thanks again

Darren