Framebuilders - Replacing Dropouts

I need to replace a damaged rear dropout, but I'm having real trouble finding one that is large enough. I've run into this problem on several vintage frames: the tangs on the readily available replacement dropouts fall well short of the stays. The windows on older dropouts seem to be slightly larger. Is this problem surmountable? Are there dropouts available with longer tangs? Will the joint be sufficiently strong if the replacement dropout does not extend as deeply into the stays as the original? Thanks in advance.

you want to get a replacement dropout that matches fairly well. It sounds a bit like a stamped dropout, in which case it was just mild steel and can be made with a little patience.

The Campagnolo dropout design became almost a standard as far as shape goes. Have you checked at ceeway.com? Richard Sachs also sells some campy style dropouts with his name on them. Worth checking out.

http://ceeway.com/Frame%20Ends.htm

http://www.richardsachs.com/rsachstoys.html

a picture would help, we're just sitting here speculating wildly. Most dropouts can be tig welded, that would be my first approach

you want to get a replacement dropout that matches fairly well. It sounds a bit like a stamped dropout, in which case it was just mild steel and can be made with a little patience.
It's a forged dropout, I've had the same trouble with both forged and stamped dropouts on older mid-level bikes. Honestly I think they all had the same (probably Japanese) supplier, which is doubtless now defunct.


The Campagnolo dropout design became almost a standard as far as shape goes. Have you checked at ceeway.com? Richard Sachs also sells some campy style dropouts with his name on them. Worth checking out.

http://ceeway.com/Frame%20Ends.htm

http://www.richardsachs.com/rsachstoys.html

My latest attempt was with the Columbus dropouts that Nova sells, which I believe are identical to the mid-length Campagnolos.

I could forge my own without much trouble. However, since I've already spent the money to buy the ones I have I think I'm going to try to make them work this time and make my own next time. My two ideas thus far have been to either weld additional material onto the tangs and cut them to shape or pin them in place and build up a fillet around the area where the tang necks down. Another possibility that I might consider in the future is building a collar out of sheet to effectively extend the stays and give a nice socketed look.

a picture would help, we're just sitting here speculating wildly. Most dropouts can be tig welded, that would be my first approach

I'll have to see if I can find a camera somewhere, I'm not at home.