Inspecting a lugged steel frameset for damage
12-31-09, 09:33 AM
#1
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Inspecting a lugged steel frameset for damage
Any suggestions for inspecting a lugged steel frame for mechanical damage? Where should I be looking to find frame damage from rust or crashes 
?
?
12-31-09, 09:39 AM
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Same things you would look for on any frame? Look for dents, cracks, bends, etc. Ride it and see if it pulls to one side of the other, sometimes pulling just means poorly installed wheels, sometimes it means a misaligned frame.
Check for any gaps at the lugs too. You don't normally find this, but during the bike boom some companies were letting anything out the door. I once had a Fuji I could fit my fingernail in between the lug and tube at one joint because it was brazed so poorly.
Cracking paint can sometime be an indication of a bent tube, but sometimes it's just an indication of cracking paint.
Check for any gaps at the lugs too. You don't normally find this, but during the bike boom some companies were letting anything out the door. I once had a Fuji I could fit my fingernail in between the lug and tube at one joint because it was brazed so poorly.
Cracking paint can sometime be an indication of a bent tube, but sometimes it's just an indication of cracking paint.
12-31-09, 10:05 AM
#3
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First thing I do when looking at a frame is run my fingers around the tubes, forks, stays to pick up any dents and dings. Look and feel the tubes near the headtube just behind the headlugs for any signs of front end damage. Sight down the fork to make sure its in alignment. Check the dropouts to make sure they are square and true. Look at the seatlug binder bolt ears for damage.
12-31-09, 12:13 PM
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First thing I do when looking at a frame is run my fingers around the tubes, forks, stays to pick up any dents and dings. Look and feel the tubes near the headtube just behind the headlugs for any signs of front end damage. Sight down the fork to make sure its in alignment. Check the dropouts to make sure they are square and true. Look at the seatlug binder bolt ears for damage.
The "sight down the fork"is the one that has me concerned. I'll be careful to inspect the shape and compare it to my mental-picture of my Paramount fork.
Michael
12-31-09, 02:02 PM
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