Berylbite

I've got a story for ya.

Happy beginning:

I bought an early 70's Schwinn World Voyager frame at goodwill for a healthy 3 bucks. It still has it's nice headset and bottom bracket components, no dents either.

Sad ending:

The fork's huge rake hid the fact that it is slightly bent. After seeing this bend I do what any self respecting vintage bike skeptic would do, inspect the lug-work on the down tube. And of course, I find a very slight crinkle.

some photos.
https://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...04539966_o.jpg
https://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...40915430_o.jpg
https://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...25473038_o.jpg
https://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...46745758_o.jpg
What are my options boys and girls?

Note: I'm a college student with limited funds. I have a profound respect for old things and wish to preserve them. There is no urgency, I have a good bike to boogie around on.

puchfinnland

I would say dont rush into things quickly.

if you do some thread searching one of us had an old park tool to jack that frame back to correct location and he said it did the job.

my opinion about the fork is it is highly likely it can be repaired, if not by force, replacement of the steering tube.

its a pretty frame.

puchfinnland

Berylbite

thanks for posting the photos that way, I'm a bit of a computer dunce.

illwafer

nice score for 3 bucks.

i would call around and see what shops can fix a bent fork for cheap. if no one can do it, just stop on the steerer and pull up on the blades

use a string to see how bad the frame alignment is. it doesn't look too bad in the pics.

NukeouT

I've been advised that when paint chips from the bend, its toast.

Fork is easy to replace.

Frame is another story. You should still take it to a competent bicycle mechanic for his opinion, but I would personally ride it as long as its not bent to the left or right. (especially if its not a double-butted frame)

Michael Angelo 

It can all be cold set back into position. Just find a LBS, with a good mechanic the correct tools.

Bianchigirll 

And the knowledge to do.


Personally I would replace the fork, youshould be able to score a decent used chrome one $50 (maybe less if your not too picky about color) and decent new forks start at $100. I would just ride the frame and keep an eye on the small dent.

if you scourer the ISO thread you may even find a fork you can wheel and deal on.

Russcoles11

If a bike shop won't help you, look for a frame builder. It could start getting expensive if the down tube needs to be replaced.

auchencrow

Generally, it is possible to straighten the headtube angle without replacing frame tubes and repainting, but it requires the proper tool (a PARK PHTS1) as shown below.
Very few bike shop mechanics have the tool, or the experience with it.

My '38 Raleigh "Sports" with a smooshed front end was transformed back into a Raleigh Golden Arrow with a slack head tube angle that parallels the seat tube.
There is a risk in doing this that something will let go, but usually it works out.
(In my case the fork had already been replaced with an old service fork, but IME forks are a lot easier to fix than frames.)

23skidoo

I have a mystery frame that suffered similar damage and sent detailed photos to a few frame builders I'd heard good things about and none--based on the photos--felt tube replacement was warranted. You got a super deal on the frame and fork and if you intend to keep it I'd recommend letting a frame builder do the work as you can bet the frame is not in alignment so frame and fork should be treated as a whole. That buckle on the down tube can be rolled out with aluminum blocks at the cost of the paint. A good local shop could probably get the fork back into reasonable shape and the frame is rideable as is. To give you an idea of the cost of professional frame work, my frame was aligned, the fork straightened and aligned, repairs to the seat lug ears, and a pump peg added for $145 plus the cost of shipping, which may be out of reach on a poor college student's budget but time is on your side. Good luck with a super nice find.

Auchen, nice pics...

BluePx10

It looks like the spoon on the lower head tube lug comes to a point rather than havin a rounded profile. This is a known design flaw. In a front impact the point acts like a can opener to create a stress riser. Please keep a close eye on this area. I once had a bike with this type of lug and hit a dog. Bent the fork but the frame looked fine. Replaced the fork and continued to ride it. A couple years later, a crack developed right at the point of the lug...

Grand Bois

You could replace the frame and fork for less than what a frame builder will charge to repair yours.

Berylbite

I guess it's going to be stowed away while I look for some frame builders. I doubt there are any around here, perhaps in New Orleans. (two hours away)

Thanks for the info guys, considering that it's such a charming frame and I got it for so cheap I think it's worth some love and attention.

miamijim

The fork is toast, when the bend is in the crown there're done.

I wouldn't be surprised if the frames OK, steel frames have resiliency which allows them to flex back a little. I had one with similar damage that was within 'spec'.

Gravity Aided

Same here, the fork took all the damage . Look for any wrinkles in the downtube, right behind the lugs . But I think your problems will be solved with a new fork , from the looks of things . Good Luck . That's a pretty bike .

noglider 

I agree, and it would be much less of a risk. If you manage to straighten it and do it well and cheaply, then go ahead and take the risk, but my guess is that it's not likely to be worth your time, trouble, and risk. You can find bikes at church rummage sales and garage sales. Sometimes people let really nice things go for very low prices.

You haven't sunk any real money into this yet, so why not just let it go? I don't see a lot of potential in it.