billytwosheds 

So as many do, on a trip to the mainland I picked up this Vitus 979 while browsing CL for rare bikes I don't find in Hawaii.

A brief stopover and a C-note later, I've acquired what I believe to be a de Gribaldy-stickered Vitus 979 similar to that which Sean Kelly rode to victory in the 1984 Paris-Roubaix.

It's got some nice parts on it, and it pretty fun even with the townie bar on it. Sadly the drop bar and black Modolo levers are long gone.

The brakes appear to be the titanium version of the Master Pro, stopping nicely.

Other than some looseness in the rear hub, the only concerns I have are with the integrity of the frame given the bonded construction.

The primary lugs joining the head/down/top tubes are in good shape, but the rear brake bridge at the seat stays is a little curious. (see last 2 pics)

There appear to be pins, but also either a damping material or bonding material between the seat stays and the brake bridge. At best, it looks dried out.

Can anyone with a Vitus (of similar generation and build) comment on this?

It may be nothing to worry about, but worthy of discussion if this bike indeed stays here in California for an upcoming Eroica...

SJX426 

The "pins" as I think you are pointing out are actually rivets. The brake bridge is a casting that is bonded to the seat stays with the rivets holding it in place. They may also have been used to locate the bridge in assembly as a secondary benefit. I would be concerned about the missing bonding material as well as the cracks in the casting. The casting may turn into two pieces with both cracks propagating to the opposite ends.

I suspect the NDS stay is no longer bonded and the rivet the only thing holding the two parts in place. It may be ready to fail or has failed contributing to the crack in the casting. The mechanical failure may be due to the force from braking. without the bond between the stay and casting on the NDS stay (the rivet is not enough to prevent movement), it moves forward allowing rotation of the bridge with the weak spot being the material above and below the brake bolt. Castings are not known for any elasticity, and are known for brittle failure.

Indeed, the stay wall thickness is likely to have failed at the rivet. It is likely not a circle but an oval as a result of movement.

billytwosheds 

Thanks for the info, SJX.

Looks like this frame is destined for the wall.

The rear brake bridge does appear to have a crack running through it. Shucks.

TenGrainBread 

At least you got some nice parts out of it. At least $100 worth if not more.

merziac

How has this not epically failed long before now?

cudak888 

If a spare Vitus frame were at hand with an intact bridge, I wouldn't be able to resist drilling out the rivets on the potential wall hanger for further inspection. Perhaps it's not as bad as it seems, and would easily accept a replacement bridge bonded and riveted in place (provided the stay holes aren't wallowed out).

-Kurt

1simplexnut

ouch ! I feel your pain . i have a couple of "retired" frames hanging about with smilar dramas .

Might be interesting to drill out the rivets and see what is happening underneath?

I have a frame which has an intact bridge which you would be welcome to for postage cost .
If i can get it off in one piece ?

Just a mad thought ! :-)

randyjawa 

After seeing an unusually number of these alloy/bonded frames fail, I am thinking that before long we will put them in the same category as the AVA death stem and the Simplex Delron plastic front derailleur. No offense is intended but the observation might hold enough water to be considered a warning to others, considering such a purchase. That said...

I have owned, street restored and ridden both the Vitus 979 and the ALAN Record. Both offered excellent ride quality although both were a bit too flexible, in my opinion. Would I buy another one? Yup. Would I ride it? Probably not...

Chombi1 

I don't know if anyone noticed, but the mounting bolt for the rear brake has a crack on it too.
Maybe it is corroded and seized on to the brake bridge because of the different materials, and an attempt was made to remove it which possibly caused the brake bridge to crack......or there could be so much corrosion between the bolt and the brake bridge that the expansion from it caused the brake bridge crack. Never the less, I don't think this is a common failure with 979's and similar Vitus bikes. Removal of the brake caliper could further clarify what caused the damage.
The pics also shows why a person that owns a bonded framed C&V bike should be fastidious about keeping it clean and dry, as much as possible as putting these bikes away "wet" can cause such damage to the bonded joints.