Bicycle Mechanics - top tube repair?

where can i send a frame to get a dent in the top tube fixed
picture here:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4063190113_fab27360e7.jpg

also woud like to get it stripped and powdercoated while it is there.

im waiting on an email reply from one place, but im always open to other ideas
preferably on the west coast to save on shipping
i cant do it locally because in japan it WILL cost an arm and a leg. shipping isnt expensive, so id rather ship it back

That dent doesn't look that bad. If you get your hands on some tubing blocks the majority of the dent can be worked out and the rest can be filled with body putty of some sort before painting.

Is the frame of particular interest or value to you or is it just another bike? Any decent frame builder could replace the top tube, particularly since it's a lugged steel bike. They will replace the entire tube, not "cut out and replace" just the dented area.

However, this will be quite expensive and, of course, a repaint will be needed which will add significantly to the cost. Get an estimate for the work but be prepared for sticker shock.

So, unless you REALLY want to have this bike pristine, I'd consider a superficial repair as Nessism recommended.

you might as well just get a custom frame built -
I am sure that it would cost you many hundreds of dollars.

Is the frame of particular interest or value to you or is it just another bike? Any decent frame builder could replace the top tube, particularly since it's a lugged steel bike. They will replace the entire tube, not "cut out and replace" just the dented area.

However, this will be quite expensive and, of course, a repaint will be needed which will add significantly to the cost. Get an estimate for the work but be prepared for sticker shock.

So, unless you REALLY want to have this bike pristine, I'd consider a superficial repair as Nessism recommended.
its a bridgestone NJS frame
Noone will buy it because of the dent. So to get the full cash out of it, i have to invest a little bit.

+1 Use the tube blocks to take the dent out (or almost all of it). I don't think powdercoat sticks to body putty, so I would not do that. I have read where others use silver or lead solder (?) to fill in the dent, and powdercoat over it. I would check with your painter, he will know.

its a bridgestone NJS frame
Noone will buy it because of the dent. So to get the full cash out of it, i have to invest a little bit.
You will have to invest a lot more than "a little bit" to replace the top tube and have the frame repainted.

Bridgestones have some collectors value but you will never recover anywhere near what it will cost to repair it. As I said, get a quote for the work and be prepared for a big number.

i paid 200 for the frame
in a crappy condition its a 700.00 frame, in perfect condition even more.
id imagine its worth it
I have a friend that can pwodercoat it for 100, so the repair is all im worried about. Which is why i posted asking if you guys knew any trustworth places?

i paid 200 for the frame
in a crappy condition its a 700.00 frame, in perfect condition even more.
id imagine its worth it
I have a friend that can pwodercoat it for 100, so the repair is all im worried about. Which is why i posted asking if you guys knew any trustworth places?

Heh... no? There are plenty of NJS track frames bridgestone that a cursory search on google revealed to be ~$800USD. And these have the original paint jobs, no dents and in good condition.

http://www.tracksupermarket.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=21

Assuming tube replacement is $100-$200. Subtract some value for a powdercoat that won't look as nice as paint, add in shipping both ways and it doesn't look that awesome of a deal. Decals will also need to be replaced.

The frame will lose value if it's powdercoated, by the way.

how does durability take away from cost.

either way, im not really PLANNING on selling it anymore, its just gonna be a spare bike for now on, but id like to make it look like it should.
And i alreayd have new sticker set on hand

how does durability take away from cost.It's the same as classic cars. If they have original paint in good condition, they fetch a handsome premium. Re-painting lowers value tremendously because it is often a sign that there was damage. Even expertly-repaired damage is still damage.

or maybe its just hard to find hte color you want in the size you want.....

BTW, your location says Tokyo, is that correct? If so, you would do well to find a local frame builder as almost all of our recommendations are going to be in the US or Canada. Shipping your frame both ways would add greatly to the project cost.

shipping is not a problem

its a bridgestone NJS frame
Noone will buy it because of the dent. So to get the full cash out of it, i have to invest a little bit.

Jack Franklin can do it. Here's his price list.
http://home.windstream.net/franklinframe/repairs.html

You'll need a repaint also. Figure it's going cost minimum of $200 for a solid color plus decals. I'm thinking at least $350 for repairs and repaint. How do you have in the frame and what can you get if it's repaired? It might not be worth it unless it's a keeper. Good luck

how does durability take away from cost.

either way, im not really PLANNING on selling it anymore, its just gonna be a spare bike for now on, but id like to make it look like it should.
And i alreayd have new sticker set on hand

Well, you really confused me, as earlier your comment was "no one will buy it because of the dent. So to get the full cash out of it, i have to invest a little bit."

If you are not planning to sell it, I would ride it as is. Fixing the dent is purely a cosmetic issue.

As to your question "How does durability take away from cost?" (I think you mean value)? Easy, collector bike value is all about originality. Repaints and replacement decals will cost you a fair amount of money and lower the value of the bike, as it will never be original again. A collector will be easily able to tell the bike is not original.

You can work out most of the dent with frame blocks and fill the rest.

http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=973346411391&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Frame-and-Fork&tc=Clamping-Blocks&item_id=BR-FB1

It's silly to say that repairing the frame will ruin it's collector value. A dented frame has no collector value either.

It's silly to say that repairing the frame will ruin it's collector value. A dented frame has no collector value either.
True in both cases. A damaged frame has little to no collectors value but an obviously repaired and/or modified one doesn't either.

About the only way a repaired frame would retain its collector value is if the repair and repaint were done by the OEM and document by them. E.g. A damaged Richard Sachs frame repaired by him would retain it's value. The same frame repaired by John Localbuilder would be worth a small fraction of its original value.

value in regards to repair or respray is one thing, but to powdercoat instead of wet paint would even decrease the value even lower because it's that much more further from the original state. If I am going to shell out hundreds of dollars for a Bridgestone frame, I'll want at least a pro paint job not a thick and [most likely] one-tone stock-tiger or dupont powdercoat job. sure, powdercoat is durable and greener than wet paint, but it's just not as pretty or as subtle.

If you're going to invest anything, spend $50 on one of those fancy-pants kashimax top tube protectors. That'll hide the dent.

And if you have ordered the decals, be sure to apply them correctly -- just sticking them on there wont be as nice as with a clearcoat.

If you are not planning to sell it, I would ride it as is. Fixing the dent is purely a cosmetic issue.



i care. i dont like my cars to look like ****, i dont want my bike to

but i find all this arguing over the aftereffects of repiring a frame and value, but not one single shop reccomendation....awesome. thanks guys

i care. i dont like my cars to look like ****, i dont want my bike to

but i find all this arguing over the aftereffects of repiring a frame and value, but not one single shop reccomendation....awesome. thanks guys

You realize we're mostly in North America right. Well here's one,

http://www.biseagal.com/

Toronto.

AGAIN.
shipping doesnt matter. for like the 8th time
Im from america, im just in the air force stationed in japan.

anyone want to buy an ugly powdercoated & bondo'd bridgestone track frame for $800?










Guess not.

i care. i dont like my cars to look like ****, i dont want my bike to

but i find all this arguing over the aftereffects of repiring a frame and value, but not one single shop reccomendation....awesome. thanks guys
First, there was a shop recommendation is one of the above posts and second, you started the "value" concept.

here is a recommendation.

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/USA/Ed_Litton.htm

anyone want to buy an ugly powdercoated & bondo'd bridgestone track frame for $800?










Guess not.
can you powdercoat bondo?



















didnt think so.
stfu

Thanks for the link, ill check it out and contact him

can you powdercoat bondo?


didnt think so.
stfu

Thanks for the link, ill check it out and contact him

Educate yourself. There are fillers that are able to withstand the temps of powdercoating. Replacing that tube is going to far more evasive to the frame than working out the dent using tubing blocks and using a small skim coat of filler.

k thx