Classic & Vintage - Should I be concerned about this? (pics)

Just noticed this on the lower headtube lug on my new Trek 715.

To ask the question more specifically...can I just leave this alone and ride the bike? I'm not looking to have a perfect vintage specimen but of course want the bike to be safe. There is no way I'm going to strip it and give a 24 hour oxalic acid bath and baking soda treatment. Just not going to happen.

I don't ride the bike in the rain, always store it indoors and live in a pretty dry climate. So if I just leave this alone and do nothing, what's the likely prognosis?

http://machineage.smugmug.com/Other/Trek715/715lugrust-1/1174702505_aALzV-O.jpg

http://machineage.smugmug.com/Other/Trek715/715lugrust-2/1174702698_yT69b-O.jpg

http://machineage.smugmug.com/Other/Trek715/715lugrust-3/1174702815_RLVPi-L.jpg

It is rust. I would seal it off to prevent any growth. No safety issue that I can see at the present moment. You may consider removing the paint, eliminating the rust and repaint. Difficult match to make, though

chances are if you take care of the bike it will stay like that for a long time but I am with SJX clean it up and stop the growth. you might be able to find some auto touchup to match the grey the blue may be tough to though.

OH a "new to me" bike? do we get to see more?

OH a "new to me" bike? do we get to see more?


+ 1 looks like a beauty (tiny spot of rush not withstanding)

It is rust. I would seal it off to prevent any growth. No safety issue that I can see at the present moment. You may consider removing the paint, eliminating the rust and repaint. Difficult match to make, though

Thanks everyone for the reassurance. That is a relief. Here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/708910-quot-Office-Bike-quot-coming-together-%28pic%29) is the thread about the bike I posted a few days ago. I have a whole bunch of bits and bobs arriving over the next few days to finish the job, at which point I'll take some proper pictures. See the last post in the thread for some info on the public bike system in Dublin.

Wrong, it's a death trap. I'll dispose of it for you immediately. I'm close to you and care for your safety.

So gimme!



:) That bike looks sweet! Youve not seen my basketcases of bikes if you think that's a problem!

I swear, there is nothing I hate more than rust veins. Ugh.

Wrong, it's a death trap. I'll dispose of it for you immediately. I'm close to you and care for your safety.

So gimme!



no no give it to me i dont want your friend to get hurt either

yeah, it's a rust "vein" likely to spread and become a rust 'spiderweb" cause the evil has already begun and that rust will suck in moisture (even in LA!) and grow...not a question of "if" just a question of how fast. Maybe very slowly if you live in the desert and keep it 100% dry and waxed. Up here in damper saltier climes, I would not wait. I'd cut open the vein with a knife or a needle, daub it really well with phosphoric acid (no, not oxalic acid for this) until rust was all gone, let it dry and touch up with hobby enamel or nail polish (lacquer), mixed to match as best you can.

yeah, it's a rust "vein" likely to spread and become a rust 'spiderweb" cause the evil has already begun and that rust will suck in moisture (even in LA!) and grow...not a question of "if" just a question of how fast. Maybe very slowly if you live in the desert and keep it 100% dry and waxed. Up here in damper saltier climes, I would not wait. I'd cut open the vein with a knife or a needle, daub it really well with phosphoric acid (no, not oxalic acid for this) until rust was all gone, let it dry and touch up with hobby enamel or nail polish (lacquer), mixed to match as best you can.

I like this idea, but for the touch up I'd consider super glue (is it cyanoacrylic glue?). Capillary action pulls it really far into cracks, it sticks to everything, dries clear and waterproof. Dab it on, let the crack soak it in, then wipe away excess before it dries.

Naval jelly would remove the paint and rust in that spot.... Again, you'd have to touch up the paint.

Naval jelly would remove the paint and rust in that spot.... Again, you'd have to touch up the paint.

Would it really remove the paint?

Would it really remove the paint?

Most likely, yes. I'm going to use it on my Gazelle once I find suitable touch up paint. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4521447081_054e2231bd.jpg

I've applied it to places where the paint's been scratched to expose steel, and I've not seen it have any effect on the neighboring paint which got some too.

Maybe it's a function of the paint involved, or the particular brand of naval jelly.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31AGvqJNnAL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

I've applied it to places where the paint's been scratched to expose steel, and I've not seen it have any effect on the neighboring paint which got some too.

Maybe it's a function of the paint involved, or the particular brand of naval jelly.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31AGvqJNnAL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

I haven't used the stuff in years, but IIRC this jellied acid is a blend of phosphoric (which I use and endorse) with some muriatic acid (another name for hydrochloric acid) which I think is too harsh and likely to cause paint damage. I stopped using it because it often (maybe always) left steel with a chalky white crust. Phosphoric acid can turn it dark but it eliminates the rust cleanly.