Dostoy

I'm working on a fixed conversion. My left dropout looks like this:


and the right like this:


Two questions:
Can I file back that dropout without compromising strength?
Why doesn't the shorter dropout go all the way back? Seems odd to have two different lengths....

thanks.

roadfix

I think it'll be ok to file that portion off completely......and while you're at it, chop off the hanger for a cleaner look, and you'll also be committed.

powers2b

1. Yes, you can file the drop out to match the other side (although a hacksaw would be faster).
2. That was done to make assembly faster/easier on some less expensive bikes (less time was spent aligning the rear wheel).

Enjoy

San Rensho 

One word. Dremel.

PhattTyre

You could drill out the infill at the back of the dropout. Find a bit as wide as the dropout and be real careful lining it up. Then hacksaw the little bit that will be left and file smooth. Do this slowly and carefully or the wheel might get a little out of alignment. Please don't hack of the hanger or the brazeons. Sure it'll look cleaner, but it'll never be a track frame, so why try to make it one. I'm speaking from experience here too. I took everything off for a nice clean look and now I regret it. The bike can only be fixed. Granted I don't plan on putting gears or a rear brake on it, but I like options. If everyone hacks off their braze-ons and hangers there will be no more versatile old steel frames. Just my 2 cents.

Dostoy

Thanks guys... hadn't thought of the drill/hacksaw/dremel - good ideas.

PhattTyre: yeah, I've been debating the extent of grinding/hacking. I don't like the idea of dooming the bike to a life of half-a$$ed fixed-gear conversion, but it's just an old (really beat up) World Sport that I bought out of some guy's basement. If I hadn't picked it up, one of the tall bike guys may have, and we all know what they do to frames.......

rmfnla

Cheapie wheel adjuster, before frame builders realized verticals were better.

Grind away!

Landgolier

I would never hack up anything classic, but it's not like you can't put an RD on something without a hanger. However, leave the cable stop or you will hate life if you ever want to go geared.

rmfnla

"Classic"? Look more carefully, L., those are stamped, low-end production dropouts; nothing classic there.

Landgolier

My point was I wouldn't cut a hanger off of a classic frame, but this one is just regular stuff so go for it because plenty of RD's don't need it anyway.

rmfnla

Got it.

PhattTyre

The frame I hacked up was a World Sport too. I thought those drop-outs looked a little familiar. I kept the hanger, so I can still go geared, but I'd need to run full length cables with zip ties... not a nice look. The real issue was the cable guides on the bb shell. The left side kept catching my pant leg. If I could do it again I'd probably get rid of the front deraileur stops and kept the rear brake and shifter stops. Part of me has wanted to make some sort of 1x4 speed thumb shifter, ghetto cross bike out of it. Oh well... it's still fixed and serves me well. No matter what you do with it, it's better than a tall bike. Even a beat up World Sport is too nice for a tall bike.