Retrofitting Added Functionality to an existing frame
 

I have a couple of steel frames that are suitable size and hold future potential for use. I like a kitchen sink bike with a tonne of "fastenability"; threaded braze-on laden frames for attaching stuff to. These steel frames could use a repaint so should it not be possible to walnut hull the frames, drill them in the appropriate spots then weld in pre-made threaded attachment points? I'm looking at adding more water bottle mounts, mid-fork blade mounts, seat stay mounts etc. Maybe tack on some spoke holders as well. While I'm at it, the cantilever braze-ons feature posts which are not allen key replaceable. Those too could be swapped for modern ones. Thoughts?

yes, framebuilders do this all the time

Thanks Unter, glad to hear confirmation. You're into framebuilding and mods, have you any examples of this type of retrofitting work? I'm not a welder, but know how to solder and am reasonable handy. I might try my hand at the retrofitting process in the future on a pooched frame for practice. There is only one guy locally who does any sort of frame work:

https://www.cycleexif.com/lt-wiens-road-bike

https://ltwiens.com/

I'm too frugal to pay cha-ching coin for some minor additions to an old frame and if I were to spend anything substantial it would be on a complete custom one built just-so. One can buy several used bikes for the price of a little welding.

I'm bad about taking pictures. There really is no difference between adding them to an existing frame and a new frame other than removing paint. On an existing frame I use a torch to burn the paint and then sand the residue off.

Just off the top of my head, I have added cable stops, rack mount bosses, fender eyelets and water bottle bosses to existing frames.

Think braze not weld.......ask the guys who really know, but for adding threaded brazeons like for water bottles you might be able to use a MAPP torch.....it did work for me for removing cable guides...... not sure Mapp wold work for day adding threaded eyelets to dropouts for racks and fender mounts

A MAPP gas torch and 56% silver will work fine for braze ons, like bottle bosses and cable guides. I still use it occasionally when my propane tank isn't hooked up to my Oxy/Propane setup.(sometimes its on the BBQ grill and I don't feel like going to get it)

Talk to @gugie. He is known for his mods.

Where are you located?

Hi Cliff, thanks for that reference. I'm up in Winnipeg the Windy.

Wowsers! Some first rate work there, Gug. That's the spirit.

I had this done to an old Peugeot.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9c87310146.jpg


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...af47bec7b6.jpg


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...137746cd04.jpg

I have that same coffee table!

I have some mods planned shortly.

I think I'll stick to 25mm or 28mm tires, so no cantis, etc.

However, I've been wondering a bit about seat stay & fork rack mounts (and perhaps dropout mods).

A couple of questions I've been mulling over. First of all, I'd hate to be 500 miles from home and experience a critical failure. So, any solution has to be STRONG & DURABLE.

One question is whether one is better off with those spool shaped attachments like @Aubergine used, vs drilling and brazing the tubes, using water bottle bosses for the rack mounts.

Welding the dropouts?

spool mounts are probably stronger than water bottle bosses. I'm not convinced about braze on dropout eyelets for a heavy rack though.

I'd probably prefer to use spool mounts on a fork instead of drilling it for insert threading, although I don't like the look as much. Several mirror imaged pairs along each blade would certainly increase flexibility of attachment o' stuff. Ritchey used to offer a heavy duty rear dropout, and that's about the only thing I do remember about frame parts. If I could find pairs of those that fit, they might be a replacement option on a frame sometime.