I have this 531 Sears Free Spirit I want to get powdercoated and build up. I really hate this kickstand bracket... any reason I can't take it off? Looks like its just tacked on the underside. I know some frames don't use a support bridge between the chainstays.

But you'd lose the fender mount!

I am sure that it can be removed, but one would have to be careful that no damage would be done to the chainstays. That area is an important joining point to the bottom bracket.

Dremel too, with care, and then file down the remnants.

But you might upset the kickstand purists on the list, and have to hear about how stupid it is to have to lean a bike against a wall or a tree when you could easily flick into place a purpose built part that will sustain the bike's uprightedness on just about any piece of near level ground. Why it's almost as handy as a derailleur.

Next, your name will be used as a pseudonym for all manner of atrocities like removing original reflectors, scraping off a period correct city bicycle license, and unbolting a Pletscher rat-trap book rack.

Of course it will only be a short time after that you will be accused of making rodents die, because that makes a lot of sense too.

Yes, removing kickstand plates will be a, uh, debacle by dbakl!

Neal

Personally I like kickstands. They come in handy, really. so do the Pletscher racks. But do what you want, it's your Sears. As for rodents, kill all you want, especially if you find them in my kitchen.

post of the week!

I pull every single side stand I get on a flip bike. It just screams: low end junk. Ditto dork disks and chainring guards. Anyone want a crate of them?

+1 Dremel tool, but be really careful!

I studied it a little more, looks to be brased on underneath as well. I think I'll just leave it.

Wait, is that a 531 kickstand bracket!?!? Where can I get one for my Supercourse? Is it butted or straight guage?
531 Free Spirit? I'll have to pay more attention to those.

Best one in weeks.

Not sure the kickstand mount is 531, plain guage if it is. Another frame I have that matches my other Sears Ted Williams. This one had most the parts upgraded: they're mainly lower-end stuff originally. The only color I've seen on these.

Leave it on. These were really rare birds. Best to leave it as is.

Just because its rare doesn't mean its good: these things are really crude. But I'll leave it alone...

That reminds me-- My road bike needs a kickstand. And reflectors. Thankfully, the dork disk is still there.

Since the kickstand plate serves as your only crossbrace between the chainstays, removing it could increase your bottom bracket flex under load. However, I cannot believe the change would be noticeable, even to a very strong and sensitive rider.

I'd opt to leave it on due to the uniqueness of this 531 Sears frame. Also the rigidity issue. Since you're stripping it to bare metal for powder, why not just replace it with a proper chainstay bridge? At this point, it can't be hard to braze one on (make it Reynolds 531). Can also add other useful braze-ons as well.