Hi all, I recently purchased a 70s tt frame, something I've always wanted... think Alf Engers style. On arrival I noticed what looked like a crack around the seat lug where the stays connect. I took it to a local frame builder who couldn't tell whether it was the paint or the steel itself. When I took it home I took a tiny bit of paint off to check and it unfortunately has a crack. As I purchased it off Ebay I can send it back for a full refund (seller has agreed).. however my issue is that I really like the frame. As mentioned I've wanted a 70s tt frame. It's very light, 2.15kg with forks. I think I know the answer which is just return it and keep on the lookout for another. However how repairable is something like this and roughly how much would I be looking at? Is it actually possible, for context the downtube and seat tube are the same external diameter at 29.3mm (seat tube id 27.2mm) the top tube is just under 26mm measured painted, so maybe the lug has been modified to fit
Cracked seat lug
- Thread starter Peterc123
- Start date
Rapparee87
Retro Guru
Probably a wider photo of the area in question, and of the frame itself would help.
added some more photos, I was out and that was the only one I had to hand
Attachments
bikeworkshop
Old School Grand Master
Looks like a straightforward repair - it's possibly cracked by a corroding post expanding?
The repair could easily cost £100, and will need repainting.
You could negotiate a partial refund and get it fixed.
The repair could easily cost £100, and will need repainting.
You could negotiate a partial refund and get it fixed.
Frankenorange
Orange 🍊 Fan
That is light. Any idea what tubing it is?
Not really, the listing said some form of accles and pollock, but there's no stamps, decals etc. I couldn't belive my eyes when I stuck it on the scales. I think the weight saving trick lies in the skinny top tube. It's not been extensivly drilled like with contemporary Ken Bird, Shorter, Roberts etc frames, just some nice cutouts on the bb shell to match the headtube decal.
