Tange Frame Run Over by Truck, Need Advice
 

Some would say I should post this on the mechanics forum, but I want to post here to obtain input from those who value old steel frames. I just recieved my first trade-in. A fellow purchased an older Ross Gran Tour from me and traded in his early to mid 80s Shogun. Why, because his daughter laid the bike down on the driveway and he backed up his pick-up over the Shogun. Under most circumstances, I'd run away from a bike that had been run over by a truck, but the damage may not be terminal and the frame is Tange 900 double butted tubing with chro-moly forks and stays. Not high end, but not bad either. So I am posting pictures and asking for your comments.
The damage to the frame consists of two dents in the top tube and a bent stay. I can't get the dents out but will they cause any problems? With regard to the left stay, it is bent but there are no kinks in the tubing. I had to look three times at it to be sure it wasn't made that way, a nice inward sloping bend. Will that create a problem while riding? I've inspected the rest of the frame and could not find any other damage other than a few surface rusts spots. Looking at the over-all condition, this bike would need a complete rebuild possibly including a new rear wheel or at least a rim along with a new freewheel, cables, housing, chain etc. I would use it to replace my 87 Raleigh Record that has a 502 frame (non-butted) as my beater, night rider.
Should I:
A: Strip off the brakes, bars and crank and throw the frame in the trash (but save that fine rusted chain :D
B: Try to fix the bent stay, then ride it.
C: Don't worry about the damage, it won't affect riding just don't sell to someone else.

That's a big enough dent in the top tube to disqualify it from being sold in my opinion, but if that's the worst of it I'd probably ride it myself if it fit, and just be careful not to bang it around much. You should post a pic with a good view of the bent stay though...I can't really make out the damage in the ones you posted.

edit: okay...I didn't see the last pic. That's bent pretty good...does the wheel rub?

Actually, it looks like the other stay is bent in the same direction as well. In that case, I'd probably junk the frame. Or make a stool.

I had some trouble posting pics, I added a pic of the stay, using edit feature, as the last pic. I can take a close up, but the distance view provides the best angle to see the damage. Close up, it looks fine. Thanks for the comment.

Based on the comments, I've taken three more pics. One of the larger of the two dents and two of the bent, left stay. Thanks for your comments, advice.

Sorry. If it was just the dent.

As it is, I vote for "toast."

I know it hurts, but I don't think I'd trust it to ride on. Add me to the "toast" tally.

Looks from the condition of the chain that your friend neglected this one. :(

Yeah buddy, that frame is breathing only because you have it on life support, its brain dead, let it go, just let it go :( but be sure to salvage any and all parts! ;)

Looks like the right chain stay is bent to me also. looking at the pic from the rear and also looking closely at the close up you can see where the paint flaked off when it bent. So short of replacing both stays (might as well replace the tube too if you do) ...... well organ donation time.

Yes, the previous owner really let this go after the damage occurred. All the bearing surfaces sound like a bowl of rice crispies when turned and all the cables are rusted and the housings are damaged. So we're talking a frame up rebuild lots of my time and a fair amount of $$. I hate to throw away a Tange 900 double butted frame, but throwing away good money and time hurts too. I have one local BF member who I might have look at it, but I'm afraid the verdicts here are correct. Still, the cranks, bars and front wheel are worth what I paid so I'm good. Thanks to all for the input.

Ha that chain has taken the shape of Charlie Brown's kite string. :D Both it and the frame are toast, imo.

Toast.... w/ jam

Looks like a Bianchi I borrowed from a freind that got run over by a dump truck. Parts.

Stool conversion candidate.

Neal

I think it will be safe to ride since the dent in the toptube is unlikely to lead to sudden failure like breaking due to the typical specifics of steel. Different story with aluminium. Same for the stay, they will not fail but I doubt this bike will ride stable and straight with that kind of damage. Generally you could try to align the stays carefully but this would be better done by an experienced framebuilder.
Try out how it rides like it is and then decide. On the other side - for a beater bike you could get an nice frame like this one anytime......I would think