Framebuilders - What to look for in a "good" frame repair

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
squirtdad
06-10-08, 06:07 PM
Hi,

I am hoping to go look at an old cruiser frame for a father/son project. Looking at the picture, it looks like primer around the head tube and the fork looks a little bent. I suspect that there might have been a repair done.

What should I look for in a quality repair?

thanks

chesspupil
06-13-08, 09:34 AM
The shape of the weld. The presesnce of any holes (porosity) in the weld indicates a lazy welder with a lack of pride in workmanship. If you can see the hole thorugh paint then IMO it is a point of failure. Holes 1/32 or less may be ok if there is only 1. Is the fillet the same size thorughout? doe the edges of the weld blend smoothly (no fingernail catches) Is there distortion in the metal adjacent to the weld. If the weld is bare, use a flashlight and bounce it side to side to look for shawdows... scrutinze any you see as they indicate less than 90 deg transistions. fillet size Should be atleast 1/8" high and wide (look in 2 directions). Is there any mis-match? Does the repairshow a contining curve if the metal is bent or is it angled other than as it should.

I'm a metals inspector, but a poor welder myself.

Send me a link to the pic... preferably at 3 foot, 1 foot and as close as focuse will allow.