Weak area on frame

[JLarkin]

I have an old frame with a weak area by the kickstand on the chainstay. It is too rusty to weld (I would never get it cleaned properly). I was thinking of drilling a few holes in it and completely filling the void in the tubing with epoxy. This would make the tubing solid and not likely to ever go bad again in my lifetime or the bike's. Thoughts?

 

[Uncle Stretch]

Or you could fill it with water and only ride it in the winter , when it was below freezing. :lol: :lol:
Just kidding. I would think if it was bad in one spot , then more is weak too . I would try to replace the tube. Once you get back to good metal in the two ends , you should be more confident in the safety of it .

 

[Highridah]

cut the section out and buttweld a new one in ive seen it done before

 

[deorman]

Don't bet your teeth on it. :|

 

[sean1960]

What kind of frame? How bad is it rusted? Can you show us a photo of the weak area? It would help us make suggestions.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

If it's too far gone to weld it's too bad to ride. You may just have to replace the chainstay. I had an idea once to replace a chainstay with pieces of bike chain and bolts running through the frame. just a cut and stretch, didn't work out too well. Rear end swayed too much and the chain kept falling off.

 

[SSG]

I agree with what the previous posters have said. If its too rusty to weld there isn't going to be much strength in it, and epoxy doesn't have much strength itself and wouldn't help much in this application. I would cut the frame back to wherever you can find solid metal, make yourself some internal lugs and replace the stays. I would also inspect the rest of the frame to make sure it isn't equally thin, if it is you might just have to hang it on a wall. Pictures would be helpful if you want more detailed help.

 

[twomorestrokes]

Too bad it's so far gone. That is one cool looking bike you found.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

What kind of frame is it? Someone (me) may be interested in the front half.

Cheers!
Dr. T

 

[JLarkin]

Oh it's going back together. The weakness is not that bad. But I do see what everyone is saying. Unfortunately I don't have a donor bike to cut from. I had 3 girls frames a couple of years ago that I threw away. Of course I wish I had them now. I will post a photo later.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Oh it's going back together. The weakness is not that bad. But I do see what everyone is saying. Unfortunately I don't have a donor bike to cut from. I had 3 girls frames a couple of years ago that I threw away. Of course I wish I had them now. I will post a photo later.

There is always the custom avenue, since the original stays are shot you could always add in some space for some 26x3's or something similar..... :wink: Maybe a bluebird type rear trailing edge....Go crazy with it, originality is already out the window. RUN WITH IT!

 

[JLarkin]

Here are the pics. Anyone have a old CWC I could get this frame section from?

 

[Uncle Stretch]

Ouch! that is pretty bad. There is quiet a bit of stress on that area. If you could bend two new chainstays and replace them from the BB back to the drop outs it would be a useable frame. Anything less than replacing them will be a dangerous situation . IMO Good luck

 

[Hooch]

have it brazed

 

[sean1960]

Now thats what I call patina! Honestly I'd just cut it out a replace it.

 

[ratina]

was that the one from ebay?

 

[JLarkin]

Yes.

 

[SSG]

Can you weld or braze? That wouldn't be a huge deal to replace, but there really isn't any other option than replacement. If you just replace the section it shouldnt be a very complex part to bend once you've got the right tubing.

 

[JLarkin]

I can weld. I am hunting a replacement piece now.

 

[Uncle Stretch]

Most time you will find that 1/2'' tubing will slide over what is there. Leave an inch or so sticking out of your BB and slide the new tubing over and weld it to the BB. Finding a frame with the correct bend and size tubing will be a stretch.