Is this frame damaged?
 

Hi all

I bought for next to nothing an old bike because I wanted to use it as a practice piece. I planned to take it to pieces, see how it all worked and clean it up then use the frame to learn how to repaint.

However it is actually quite a nice looking bike and still goes, so I then felt like I should make the effort to clean it up and put it back together.

But I have a doubt about the frame. It is very rusted (which suited me fine for practice material) and in one part appears to bend. The whole front looks slightly odd to me. Is it my eyes, is it supposed to be like that and it is dangerous? If so I will go with plan A.

Thank you for any input!
Gill

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...73c58f7b0e.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f899d20f5d.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...74dd29cb56.jpg

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Good news, you paid next to nothing. That's some big front end damage.

Top tubes, down tube and forks look too bent! Front brake system looks pretty cool!!

Bad news. It its damaged.

Good news. You can still use it to learn how to repaint.

Might be able to use it to learn how to re-ride. Could be trouble once you get back on a normal bike, though.

scrap the frame, sell the parts.

You can still use the bike to learn how to disassemble (which tools, how it all fits together, etc.), which is still a good thing to know and a good investment of your time. But yes, that frame is not worth saving with the front end damage.

Also, as noted above, the parts will be worth some money on their own, like the sole vintage rear fender and the chain guard.

As I thought. Suits me anyway for my initial plan.

The brakes are nice - Bebolux I think. There are also some nice wing nuts and a decent derailleur. The wheels are OK as well.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b713b137a6.jpg

I am not a fan of that rear fender 😊.

I am looking forward to figuring it all out.

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here is what the missing headplate would have once looked like -


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...986ed177c6.jpg

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damaged frame -

since no one has explained this yet...

bicycle experienced a head-on impact which deformed the fork, down tube and laterals

this is easily put right via "cold setting" (bending)

the problem is that the metal in the area of damage has been weakened to where a catastrophic failure could be experienced at any moment should the bicycle be put into use

if you are going to discard the frame please cut it up first so that no one will be tempted to try to build it back up

an excellent use for it would be to donate it to an artist who creates works from "found objects"/junk

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Thank you! I was wondering about the origin of the bike - I have never heard of it but I see it is from near Bordeaux. Bicycles for Queens and the Queen of Bicycles apparently. How can you tell from just a few photos?

I really enjoy finding out the history - I only buy bikes when there is a part that interests me. Yours I would have bought just for the headplate. For this one it was the brakes. I have a bike from the manufacturer Simon from Troyes (brakes again). The descendants are currently putting together a whole archive of old catalogues, photos of existing bikes, headplates etc. It is fascinating.

I bought the bike to keep the frame to practise painting and I will make sure I dispose of it properly when I am finished with it.

​​​​​​Thank you all. I may have more questions when I come to taking it apart.

Gill

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Hello Gill,

name of bicycle comes from marking on chainguard

image of head emblem is one saved from a french language forum on old bicycles

just for the sake of confusion there is also a marque termed Sam-Benotto-Cazenave :rolleyes:

brand name for brakes you mention is Beborex

Bebolux is more of a model name

it's certainly a shame about the damage - this would have been a fun bicycle for you to learn on

it would have been fun for forum participants as well if we could have tried to answer any questions which came up for you

maybe you shall be able to post your next candidate...;)

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I will still have questions 😊

It is a shame about the damage. I bought it for parts so I am not disappointed with but still. I admit to riding it a short distance on the pavement and even with the damage it is nice. Not heavy, smooth. Maybe one day I'll find another one!

As for next project, it could be a while. There are few bikes that I like in my price range! I am currently tempted by one (brakes again) but it is too big for me so I would have to sell it after. I am always a bit nervous in case I missed something critical (like a damaged frame...).

One last question. When and why did rear brakes change from being in line with the frame (like on this bike) to being on top of the wheel behind the seat? It seems much more efficient like here.

Take care all.
Gill

Such a cool little bike. I think I would have a go at straightening the frame before giving up on it. One of those car jack devices might work on that frame.

I would definitely try to straighten it.

Put a steel pipe through the bottom bracket and another through the head tube. Sit on the floor with both feet on the pipe through the bottom bracket and pull on the bottom of the head tube pipe.

I've done this successfully with a couple mild steel frames. I tried it with a 531 frame and it just laughed at me.

I think that bending a frame back stresses the material again. Friend of mine did it and it broke afterwards, could be dangerous to ride...

Don't worry - I won't be trying it. It is bent in more than one direction anyway.