Genesis Croix De Fer Dent

[ftm917]

Hello I have acquired a rough Genesis CDF complete bike from ebay, its dog rough but the only real area of concern is a dent on the rear stay, my intention is to shot blast the frame and get it enameled, I am not looking for perfection just want to remove the substantial surface rust and a dent to me add characters, however it would make sense to repair before apply the finishing coat I have added pictures and advice greatly received many thanks

[alexnharvey]

Stay is bent in too, right?

[Brucey]

the dent itself is probably nothing to worry about; it can be filled and painted over. If it is going to crack in use (highly unlikely IME), it'll probably crack sooner rather than later. However....

1) filling only works with some frame finishing techniques (eg better with wet paint than with powder coat) and
2) Like Alex says that stay is bent and
3) IME when a frame is damaged like that, it is odds-on that the whole rear end is also pushed to one side, i.e. the whole frame will be out of track.

A good LBS may have the correct (Park Tool) frame straightener which can be used to pull the stay back straight. But there is no point in doing this unless you pull the frame back into alignment (first) if it needs it.

cheers

[ftm917]

Many thanks for the replies. Yes stay has been bent in. So the dent not bad, but the frame is mis-aligned and this is the issue. So realign the frame is the main issue, is this something an LBS would do, or am I better seeking out a steel frame specialist in the North East ?

[Brucey]

you should check the alignment to see that anything needs doing. You can check the lateral alignment of the rear triangle using a piece of thread. Other misalignments are less easy to check, but also less likely in this case.

cheers

[ftm917]

Thank you sir, yes Ive seen the videos for misalignment with thread, ill give them a go, my local LBS has cried off, and suggested a steel frame builder although they appear to be thin on the ground in the North East. To be honest id like to have a go at this myself.

[iandusud]

If you go to a frame builder for the paint job he should be able to realign the frame and repair the dent.

Ian

[ftm917]

Thanks for the reply. I can get the frame stripped and painted fairly easily, I just don't know a frame builder, and it looks like they are as rare as hens teeth. To be honest ill have a look at the string re-aligning method and see how bad it is, the frame owes me very little and will be excellent once sorted.

[alexnharvey]

Not convinced it's worth repainting. Would probably align, touch up and use for a bit before spending any money on it.

[iandriver]

There is a list of frame builders here who may be able to help:

http://www.framebuilding.com/custom_uk_ ... ilders.htm

[ftm917]

Yeah, its quite nasty its been sitting in what could only be a damp garage / room, the bottle cage has been eaten away to nothing, worst ive seen for awhile. Thanks for the list of frame builders, its always an option should it go to pot.

[ftm917]

"Thanks for the list of frame builders" does not really cover what you have provided there, that is amazing many thanks, not many local except for Durham and that gentlemen appears to have a huge waiting list (always a good sign), and I determined to have a go, but I suppose if I snap the left rear stay off, I should be able to find someone to weld it back on Brilliant forum many thanks

[PhilD28]

Arthur Caygil cycles, Gallowfield ind Est, Richmond North Yorks, will be your nearest. Last time I was in there they still had a framebuilder on site.
Kevin winter at Ferryhill is very good but always busy.

[ftm917]

Yes thanks for that I have looked at the alignment since the original post and I think its OK, its in a new post above.