how do you bend rear stays?

[KickBackCycles]

I have a 30's Rollfast and I want to add a 7-speed freewheel but it is just to big for the frame. What are some techniques or devices used to spread the stays?

 

[CCR]

http://sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

a little bit more then half way down, the pics with the 2x4 ... thats the easiest. ive also cut the fender mounts between the stays before, spread them and welded in new braces before too but sheldons way is easiest.

 

[KickBackCycles]

Thanks, I'm defiantly going to give the 2x4 one a try. Right after the buildoff.

 

[scrumblero]

I spread em with a piece of threaded rod and some washers and nuts, just gotta go a little past what you want and let it spring back to your size...

 

[user 135]

I have done a different 2x4 method. It requires two people.
1. Get two equal length 2x4's about 4-5 feet in length.
2. Each place them inside the drop to just behind the seat tube, above the BB.
3. On the count of 3, pull equally away from the center line.

This method work well and fast so be careful.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

scrumblero's method is probably the more controlled method and actually quite brilliant. Honestly, I usually lay the frame on the ground, stand on the stays that are lying on the ground and GENTLY pull the upper one towards me (it helps that I'm a total wimp and can't do much damge). Then I flip the frame and repeat.

The thing to be careful of is to pull on both sides evenly or you'll tweak the frame alignment.

Come to think of it, use scrumblero's method..... :mrgreen:

Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[jerrykr]

Yep, get the all thread the same size as the axle so that it fits in the drop outs.