Nice 753 Waterford

[CTK]

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[foz]

Interesting rear brake cable route - right down the side of the top tube where it couldn't be more in the way!

 

[grantoury]

Done to avoid brazing it on the butted part of the top tube?

 

[otherself]

Done to avoid brazing it on the butted part of the top tube?

Most probably. AFAIK silver solder first started being used with Reynolds 753 tubing which is the 'heat treated' version of 531 (both are a manganese moly alloy). While 531 was typically brazed (lugged cappilary joints or fillet brazed/bronze welded) the temperatures involved would destroy the properties of 753. Because 753 was so temperature sensitive Reynolds would only sell this tubing to builders after completion of a test coupon.

Given the cost of silver solder many builders only use it when they have to but as high end lugged road frames have an 'artwork' factor to them, silver solder can be good marketing.

Its why Reynolds introduced 725 in the late 90's as it could be welded or brazed with high temperatures so issues like those with 753 don't really exist any more.

Looks like Waterford closed their doors recently, after 30 years.