Originally Posted by
repechage
Mr Rex upon seeing the whole frame bare, may well advise punt.
Or get the chrome removed. Might be possible to submerse most of the frame and retain the chrome stays upon de-plating. You will need a co-operative plater.
...I'm prepared for all possible outcomes.
It is not something I had planned on investing heavily in. Worst case is I will end up stop drilling the cracks, fitting in a proper seat post, not go to all the work of a proper repaint, put it together with parts on hand, and see what happens. I guess I could go with a stainless hose clamp beneath the stays and below the cracks as a tacky accessory, but I am loathe to do that.
I don't much care about saving the frame chrome, and have been known to repaint chrome forks to match frame color.