rattle inside my toptube

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riddim-track

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So I picked up a 7 spd 80s 531c framed Orbit a couple of weeks back, in reasonable condition with complete RX100 groupset. Plans are to restore the frame as much as reasonably possible, upgrade the finishing kit and either re-instate the existing groupset or fit with some newer parts I have.

Anyway I stripped the bike down and have found a noise from the top tube which sounds like some kind of loose debris inside it. There are no openings anywhere (ie inside the head or seat tube at the joint) or openings for internal cable so I'm not sure what could have gotten in there. There are no signs of rust or any other damage. Is it likely something has been rattling round in there since it was built? It's something that can roll/slide from one end to the other when tilting the frame as opposed to something fixed in one place that rattles under vibration/impact.

I've experienced this before but only on frames when there's been an obvious explanation for the unwelcome rattly object.

What you guys reckon?
 
If there is no vent hole in either the seat lug of head lug at either end of the top tube, then the top tube will have had a small hole drilled into it to vent it during brazing. Once the top tube is brazed into place, the hole is filled. I've done this with a small length of thin welding rod, silver soldered into the hole then filed smooth. It could be the end of that small rod has come away on the inside and is moving around.

Unfortunately, as there are no holes in the lugs, you can't use the super glue trick to sort it out.
 
If the tube is sealed with no vent holes then it's probably extra filler material from when the lugs were soldered. if enough is brought into the joint between lug and tube, it will form little balls on the inside of the tube, which eventually break off and rattle. A sign of a fully brazed tube/lug joint, so I've been told, so good, rather than bad!
 
foz":uxhec0v6 said:
If the tube is sealed with no vent holes then it's probably extra filler material from when the lugs were soldered. if enough is brought into the joint between lug and tube, it will form little balls on the inside of the tube, which eventually break off and rattle. A sign of a fully brazed tube/lug joint, so I've been told, so good, rather than bad!
Click to expand...

Yes the noise sounds just like I'd imagine ^^^ that to sound like, thanks I'm actually quite reassured by this, however still annoying when tinkering around on the bike at home, not sure if it will notice when built up and riding.

Ta
 
Re:

Why not drill a small hole from either the head or seat tube end, then drop in some glue.
I remember frames where the gas holes in the seat tube to top tube were made with the edge of a chisel.

Keith
 
Loads of frames have something rattling in them...... Luckily, they are generally never noticed on the road :). For peace of mind buy a Cobra bottle cage and put a bottle in, the rattling from that will drown out the noise :)

Shaun
 
As Kieth says drill a hole in the seat/top tube lug to have a way into the top tube a small squirt of expanding foam & tip the frame so as the "rattler"runs back into foam before it cures, clean out for the seat pillar refitting when the foam has cured
 
yeah cheers, that's not a bad tip, I'm thinking of fully restoring this frame (a first for me) but was a little reluctant to fork out on painting or powdercoat with this issue still niggling.

Whilst here, Are there any good threads on this forum about different frame painters / finishers and tips on preparation etc. I've done a few rattlecan jobs in the past on old beaters and as a kids loads of home car repairs (a thing of the past these days I reckon) but would be interested to see any before, during and after pics of other peoples refinished steel frames.
 
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