Opinion on front impact damage and possibly ID help
#1
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Opinion on front impact damage and possibly ID help
Hi there,
Before I go about building up this nice frame here I'd like to hear what people think about the relevance (or not) of a slight frontal damage.
The fork is original (matching serial number, matching drop outs, matching residual paint) and is perfectly straight. The frame is also perfectly straight as far as I can tell with my frame gauge. It just has that typical compression ring on the underside of the down tube just behind the head tube. Would that make the steerer angle marginally steeper or not even that? Would it make the frame less stiff? Is it more likely now that I get speed wobbles?
What do you think?
In terms of ID I'd also appreciate any guess.
It's a 54 cm frame (seat tube c-t) with a 54.5 cm top tube c-c.
Angles are 74/74 with Bocama lugs.
Bottom bracket and fork have a 4 digit serial number (3743). BB shell in British.
ISO head set (26.4 mm crown race and 30.2 mm cups).
The frame weighs only 1,725g which makes me think 531 professional (or even 753).
Fork blades are stmped "Reynolds 531 Butted" and weighs 650g.
27.2mm seat post
Drop outs are Columbus.
126mm rear spacing.
Bosses for two bottle cages and frame pump peg on steerer tube.
Looks like late 80s or early 90s to me. Probably British but maybe something local here in Perth, Australia?
Any ideas?
More pics:
Many thanks for you help and advice.
Cheers,
Guido
Before I go about building up this nice frame here I'd like to hear what people think about the relevance (or not) of a slight frontal damage.
The fork is original (matching serial number, matching drop outs, matching residual paint) and is perfectly straight. The frame is also perfectly straight as far as I can tell with my frame gauge. It just has that typical compression ring on the underside of the down tube just behind the head tube. Would that make the steerer angle marginally steeper or not even that? Would it make the frame less stiff? Is it more likely now that I get speed wobbles?
What do you think?
In terms of ID I'd also appreciate any guess.
It's a 54 cm frame (seat tube c-t) with a 54.5 cm top tube c-c.
Angles are 74/74 with Bocama lugs.
Bottom bracket and fork have a 4 digit serial number (3743). BB shell in British.
ISO head set (26.4 mm crown race and 30.2 mm cups).
The frame weighs only 1,725g which makes me think 531 professional (or even 753).
Fork blades are stmped "Reynolds 531 Butted" and weighs 650g.
27.2mm seat post
Drop outs are Columbus.
126mm rear spacing.
Bosses for two bottle cages and frame pump peg on steerer tube.
Looks like late 80s or early 90s to me. Probably British but maybe something local here in Perth, Australia?
Any ideas?
More pics:
Many thanks for you help and advice.
Cheers,
Guido
Last edited by guidogad; 05-20-12 at 02:57 AM.
#2
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Downtube evidently gimballed... at the very least, that will alter the tracking and stability characteristics from what they were originally, probably for the worse. The tube may be weakened, but it's hard to say whether seriously or not. I don't know if that can be repaired; we may get some framebuilders chiming in with their opinions about that.
Other than that and the corrosion, looks like a damn nice frame.
Other than that and the corrosion, looks like a damn nice frame.
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Interesting frame, Guido, but I cannot offer a guess on the ID.
I do think the damage to the frame is substantial, and will alter the ride/handling characteristics of the bike. I had a frame exhibiting less distortion about the HT, but there was still a significant change in the angle.
I would suggest you commandeer someone in possession of a Park HTS-1, to straighten the frame for you before you build it. It looks like a frame worthy of the effort.
I do think the damage to the frame is substantial, and will alter the ride/handling characteristics of the bike. I had a frame exhibiting less distortion about the HT, but there was still a significant change in the angle.
I would suggest you commandeer someone in possession of a Park HTS-1, to straighten the frame for you before you build it. It looks like a frame worthy of the effort.
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I had a 531 frame with similar damage. I took the frame to well-known frame builder. He clamped a weird set of metal braces (apparently of his own devising) to the frame and then we both applied slow but heavy pressure. The idea was to pull the frame back into its original alignment.
The repair seemed to work, although neither of us is sure it was 100% effective. The frame builder's comment was that the frame was road worthy, but to avoid heavy duty use and inspect frequently. That was 14 years ago. I ride the frame regularly, although not on rough roads if I can help it. Rides fine and the repair has held up.
The repair seemed to work, although neither of us is sure it was 100% effective. The frame builder's comment was that the frame was road worthy, but to avoid heavy duty use and inspect frequently. That was 14 years ago. I ride the frame regularly, although not on rough roads if I can help it. Rides fine and the repair has held up.
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Somehow I had hoped more for a 'don't worry and ride, there will be no difference'.
In terms of frame alignment it all seems to check out. The only thing I can't really assess is the steerer angle.
Here is another shot right from the side. To me that doesn't look to bad:
I might just put it to a test on the road as it is before sandblasting and powdercoating it.
In terms of frame alignment it all seems to check out. The only thing I can't really assess is the steerer angle.
Here is another shot right from the side. To me that doesn't look to bad:
I might just put it to a test on the road as it is before sandblasting and powdercoating it.
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Put it in a Park HTS-1 and add a bit of torque to the headtube. Should take out most of what remains of the ripple, but not enough to be satisfactory.
It reminds me of a mid-1980's Falcon frame. Not identical, but Falcon used Columbus rear drops. They were very much parts-bin builds, hence why I haven't given the slightly differing headlugs and different fork crown much extra scrutiny.
FROM: https://velobase.com/Velos/ViewModel....71efa&Enum=201
-Kurt
It reminds me of a mid-1980's Falcon frame. Not identical, but Falcon used Columbus rear drops. They were very much parts-bin builds, hence why I haven't given the slightly differing headlugs and different fork crown much extra scrutiny.
FROM: https://velobase.com/Velos/ViewModel....71efa&Enum=201
-Kurt
Last edited by cudak888; 05-20-12 at 10:59 PM.