Alu frame repair

[Defiant]

I was just wondering,...

this Klein Top Gun frame has a defect at the seat stay,...can this be fixed?

i do not have the intention to buy the frame but i was just curious,...

thanks

 

[cchris2lou]

cut it where the crack is and find a seat collar ?

 

[Defiant]

that's an idea,.. :idea:

but could this be welded in a nice way?

 

[Max P]

Check this for some leads:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16416&highlight=weld

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20753&highlight=weld

 

[pinguwin]

Is there enough seat tube left on that one to do a seat color? Looks pretty tight to me, but I'm not certain, which is why I ask.

'Guin

 

[BikePimp]

I think it should be repairable.

I had a head tube hairline crack re-welded and a similar seat tube crack re-done a decade ago on a pair of Gary Fisher Supercalibers and rode the bikes for a months afterwards. I sold a bike to a friend and 2 years later the weld still held up. The headtube crack was on the side and the seat tube crack was like the one you showed. Just find a good welder that knows how to work on aluminum.

If the crack was at a joint where other tubes meet, then I would get a more expert opinion.

As cchris2lou said: "cut it where the crack is and find a seat collar ?" sounds reasonable. I would also use an extra long seat tube just in case.

 

[antogoof]

if you can get it for cheap, its worth having a go at cutting it off and trying a new seat collar. then even if you bugger it up you are not at too much of a loss. i would have a go at this as if it does fail, its not something where you are gonna end up using your face as a brake. if you win it get some pics on here. good luck.

 

[shovelon]

Looks like it has been welded before. Why it cracks in that direction is beyond me. But it should be an easy fix.

Terry