Originally Posted by gugie

Nope, if it were MY frame, that's what it would cost ME! A pair of stays can be had for about $20, a few bucks for gas, flux, filler rod at most. My TIME, of course, would be worth something. I'd hacksaw out most of the blade, grind and file away the bits around the seat tube lug, brake bridge, and dropout - that would be most time consuming, not damaging the bits that stayed. Probably even remove the brake bridge and put a new one in, now that I think about it, would simplify things. I'd also want to sand off most of the chrome around the dropout. 4-6 hours of work? I always underestimate, though...

Of course, while I was at it I'd rerake the fork, add a bunch of bits...