Steel frame internal deposits

[SilverSurfer]

Got a great old steel framed bike (fully built atm) but when I move the bike it sort of sounds like grit rattling down the tubes.

Does this mean internal corrosion or is it just paranoia?

Is there a practical way of curing this for peace of mind in the future?

 

[Tad]

It could be a bit of corrosion or a bit of braze or weld from manufacturing has come loose and got trapped, something could have got in there... all manner of things. My old fixed gear that I ride quite a bit that has a similar issue, to be honest I just live with it. You could always squirt a load of waxoil or krust in to the tubes which would offer some protection as well as having the added benefit of sticking whatever is rattling around and stopping the noise.

 

[clockworkgazz]

my salsa has the same wee rattle- gives a bike character

 

[SeeingisBelievingGTMuseum]

Many frames have vent tubes put there when the tubing is cut and welded up to allow welding gases to escape. These loose bits of metal (usually weld slag) in you frame can usually be removed. You may need to pull the fork and headset or perhaps the bottom bracket. I've had luck removing them in the past by using pencil magnets. Put the frame in a rotatable work stand and tip the frame towards the vent hole while holding the pencil magnet in the vent hole. Walla...no more rattle.

 

[uno-speedo]

and what to do if there are no vents holes?

 

[Crum]

They all should have some kind of vent.. You might need to take your bike apart completely to find them....

 

[uno-speedo]

all parts are removed. some or all fats didn't, they sealed the vent holes.

 

[SeeingisBelievingGTMuseum]

and what to do if there are no vents holes?

Pray because if there aren't it's not likely that your frame was built correctly

 

[SeeingisBelievingGTMuseum]

all parts are removed. some or all fats didn't, they sealed the vent holes.

Sealed with what? Unplug them. Back in the old days MBA use to preach putting silicone in frame vent holes because they felt it would keep water from getting in when riding in wet conditions, through creeks, rivers and deep puddles. If there were holes clean out what's plugging them to get the loose metal out.

 

[uno-speedo]

Pray because if there aren't it's not likely that your frame was built correctly

Lol. I can assure you it is. Fat City did this as a standard.

Sealed with what?

Metal! To prevent moisture or dirt entering the tubes, sounded great as a marketing tool bitd, only the seat tube and head tube are not sealed. I've heard of adding silicone, I wonder if I can get enough of it down a water bottle hole to stop some of the rattling, hmmm.