sd8450":kwsop702 said:
This is an awesome restoration and the bike is again structurally good as new as well as appearing like it was custom-built from a new frame for the first time! Great effort and patience and will involved from the owner!
I am a newbie to bikes and acquired 4 steel bikes only from the last 2 years. They were from 1981 to 1987 and at least 2 of them had seen some neglect from previous owner/s but not damaged by corrosion enough to require major frame work as the Sherpa. The Sherpa appears in the 1996 catalog so it is a relatively new steel bike.
I am also interested in the Yeti bikes like the PRO FRO and have read about cracks in stressed areas and also corrosion issues in the rear triangle. My newbie question are: Are the corrosion issues somehow caused by the continuous loop tubing design of the rear triangle? Are there vent or drain holes in the loop? Are the damage caused by a combination of structural weak areas and lack of vent/drain holes causing condensation or water to stay in the loop?
I am a newbie and have not seen an actual Yeti bike yet and curious to learn from the knowledgeable members. Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge!
I think the original loopstays already had dampness inside them before assembly or even surface rust!
The rust first appeared on the bends of the loopstay were the metal was probably the most stretched and vulnerable!! There were no vent holes on the full stay assembly not even in the bottom bracket!
We see this with other companies frames! Weld up all the breath holes and trap the moisture in! Fat City seat tubes spring to mind.
I will reiterate if you own a steel frame treat it from day one with the best waxoil you can find.