Murray Missile 

Not sure where to put this, Bike Mechanics, Touring, What Is It Worth? or Vintage and Classic since it covers all the bases but this 25" Schwinn Voyageur frameset just showed up on my local CL for $40 with everything in the picture included:



There's just one problem which the seller has clearly identified. This:



How big of a job is this to repair for someone REALLY experienced with brazing and is it even worth fixing given the initial asking price?

gugie 

So you're $40 into it, then, say $50 for a repair. Do you want to repaint it? I can get a good powder coat job here in Portland, OR for $110.

So your $40 frame just became $200.

BTW, here's a local guy who posts his prices: Custom Work Pricing! ? Kenton Cycle Repair

He hasn't built a lot of frames, so his base price is actually fairly low. He does a lot of custom racks, also "upcycles" C&V type bikes-adds cantis, bosses for bottles and racks, etc.

bikemig 

Funny you should post this because I've been sorely tempted by a motobecane on my CL which is missing some parts but otherwise looks clean. I've been flirting with temptation on that one for over a week; hopefully someone will nab it before I give in, .

Agree that this looks like a pretty expensive job so you really have to want that bike to make it worth your while. Do you want it that badly?

cb400bill

I wonder if it was broken loose when trying to unstick a frozen seat post?

And, in the second picture, does it appear to anyone else that part of the lug is missing?

JohnDThompson 

The brazing itself isn't that hard. The area will need to be thoroughly cleaned of rust and paint in order to get a good joint; sand blasting works well. And of course it will need to be re-painted afterward, which could range from a quick 'n' dirty rattle-can job to a full on restoration with correct transfers, etc.

Clang

How OK are you with buying a tange fork, handlebars, stem, brake levers, and cantis for $40?

JohnDThompson 

I wondered about that too, but I think it's just the angle the picture was taken. You can see the slot in the binder barrel, which suggests that the rest of the lug is simply hidden from view.

Hudson308 

What he said, with two additions;

1) Is the frame your size? If so, then
2) Following the steps listed, you'll actually have two Franklins or so into a great refinished touring frameset in your size. That starts to be much more attractive.

Had that frame been for sale around here, I'd have snapped it up for the fork alone. I've been on the hunt for an internal-lugged fork with that size steerer and canti bosses for close to a year. Can't find em around here for forty bucks, especially with that dove stamped on it.

edit: Even a Tange slope-shoulder 700C fork with a long steerer and canti bosses is worth more than the price of admission, IMHO.

dweenk

Since the joint at the seat tube/seat lug joint is broken, what about the seat stay? I would expect to see a bent stay.

Murray Missile 

Do I want it "that" badly? That's what I'm trying to decide.

1) The frame is my size.
2) I like the frame, I don't "need" it, but I like it and I have always wanted to build a bonafide "touring" bike even though I may never go on an actual tour.
3) I have a friend who is an absolute wizard with metal, he has his own custom shop and build hot rods, custom motorcycles, etc. He's GOOD. REALLY, REALLY GOOD!
4) If need be I CAN paint it myself, it's been awhile but once upon a time I wasn't too shabby with cup g-u-n (Seriously?! ) and airbrush.
5) I'm pretty sure I could get it for a little less.

Bianchigirll 

A nice Columbus touring frame for $200ish is a decent deal no? You can always just spot the afflicted area.

Murray Missile 

I could live with having that much in it.

dedhed

On the second picture it sure looks like half the lug is gone as I appear to see joints on the house siding where mt eye says lug should be.

Vintage_Cyclist

The non-drive side of that lug is snapped-off. I agree with the suggestion that the seatpost was stuck. The seller probably tried brute force and snapped the lug in half, as well as breaking the joint with the visible seatstay. The opposite seatstay is might have issues and both the stays might be bent as well.

Do you really want to deal with someone else's mess if it needs that much repair? Voyageurs come up on CL and Ebay all the time.

Chrome Molly

I'd venture that if you diligently looked over the same amount of time it will take to deal with the issues, you'd find as nice a bike or better for what you'll have into this one. It still needs lots of bits to complete and unless you have exactly those parts just waiting for a frameset, you will need even more time to scrounge around. My vote is to pass...

Grand Bois

Easy for you to say.

The Golden Boy 

Seconded.

Murray Missile 

I'm going to keep an eye on it and if it's still up in a couple weeks I'm going to lowball him and see what happens, I won't give $40 for it though. I have 5 more frames needing built after I finish the current build and 4 of those are keepers, I really don't need another one right now.

Thumpic

JB Weld...

ramzilla

That's a very odd picture. Looks like more than just a broken weld to me.

The Golden Boy 

Temptation... That's what @Flog00 does to me all the time...

Flog00

I spent all of my money, just trying to spend yours now

non-fixie 

If you're looking forward to the project, just do it. What's the worst that can happen?

I just got this for €35 and the very same reasons (don't need it, do want it). Needs a lot of work ...

OldsCOOL

Ouch

Murray Missile 

Nah, I have too many now............................

This one is on the stand now:



These 2 are next in no particular order:




Then these 2:




Sorry, the last one isn't vintage but it probably will be by the time I get to it.......... These are all keepers, there's one more frameset but it will be sold when finished, it's not vintage either. Then there are a couple others that need minor attention. Nah, I don't need anymore projects right now.