Cantilever to Straight Bar Conversion?

[two spot]

So I have this bike and I have been contemplating converting the cantilever frame to a straight bar. The plan would be to cut the cantilever bars off, forward of the seat post area, and then weld in a straight bar. Is there any reason that this wouldn't work? structural concerns or other? perhaps I can reinforce the welds where the cantilever tubes meet the seat post tube just to beef it up a bit. Anybody done anything similar? Here is the bike:

An earlier pic of just the frame before I repainted it brown:

I'm the kind of guy that might do this even if people tell me not to but I thought I would check to see what y'all think anyways.

 

[two spot]

Thanks for the response. It is in fact a steel frame. Sorry, I should have mentioned that. So it sounds like steel = no prob?

 

[18htan]

Yeah if its an alloy frame, I wouldn't bother.

It looks good as it is though.

Edit: You got your response as I was typing :roll:

Steel frame, well as I far I can see, it will come down to your skills. I don't think a straight bar will effect the overall strength of the frame.

I am sure someone that knows for sure will chime in.

 

[jerrykr]

save the "bullets" off the canti bars and weld them to the remaining ends of the seat stays just under the seat.

go for it!