Carlton Franco-Suisse-My new to me beautiful rip-off!
02-10-19, 10:40 PM
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Carlton Franco-Suisse-My new to me beautiful rip-off!
Really snowy day here in Minneapolis, so what better way to pass the time then at a bike swap. I went out to the National Sports Center in Blaine this morning and was quite surprised to find that one of the vendors had a rather nice Carlton (frame only). Quite a few people had been looking at this frame and it is just my size. Of course I bought it.
Last edited by Pcampeau; 02-10-19 at 11:13 PM.
02-10-19, 10:48 PM
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I’m getting to it. Having difficulties. My pics won’t load.
Last edited by Pcampeau; 02-10-19 at 10:54 PM.
02-10-19, 10:57 PM
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What now?
I found a sticker on the chainstay that I thought would probably be difficult to peel so I would use a heat gun to soften the glue later. I should have known better!
02-11-19, 06:57 AM
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Pcampeau-
Lovely frameset. Now what?
Lovely frameset. Now what?
02-11-19, 07:12 AM
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WTH??? 
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02-11-19, 07:30 AM
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Amazing! They would have gotten me on that also.
02-11-19, 08:00 AM
#9
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That's a shame! I was salivating at the first pictures.
The community is pretty tight. I would think you might be able to track the seller down, or somehow publicly shame him/her into making this right.
The community is pretty tight. I would think you might be able to track the seller down, or somehow publicly shame him/her into making this right.
02-11-19, 09:58 AM
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It's possible that Alex at Prairie Crow Bikeworks can look at it, in the event you want to try to salvage it and you want to deal with someone local. He's helped me with some frame repair in the past. He had a studio near Brackett Park when I last talked to him. I can give you his contact info if you'd like.
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Last edited by Hudson308; 02-11-19 at 10:05 AM.
02-11-19, 10:34 AM
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02-11-19, 10:35 AM
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02-11-19, 10:36 AM
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02-11-19, 10:41 AM
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It's possible that Alex at Prairie Crow Bikeworks can look at it, in the event you want to try to salvage it and you want to deal with someone local. He's helped me with some frame repair in the past. He had a studio near Brackett Park when I last talked to him. I can give you his contact info if you'd like.
Last edited by Pcampeau; 02-13-19 at 01:26 AM.
02-11-19, 10:48 AM
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Serial# G7411 on the outside of the non drive side dropout.
From my limited research it seems to be from about 1959. Can anyone confirm this? I’d still like to learn more about the bike as I move on with it’s possible salvation.
02-11-19, 11:07 AM
#18
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That frame is too nice to just let it go. The obvious repair would be to braze a plate over the hole. I think that would work but you need a framebuilder's opinion. Touchup paint not too difficult and you get a story. Or replace the entire tube. That could get expensive and would never really match. Don't go there until three framebuilders have said no to simpler repairs. Also a builder should very very thoroughly inspect to see if there is further craziness.
At height of drillium craze time trial frames were being built with slots cut out of chainstay. Those frames were not long-lived but they did work. A simple patch will work a lot better than a hole.
At height of drillium craze time trial frames were being built with slots cut out of chainstay. Those frames were not long-lived but they did work. A simple patch will work a lot better than a hole.
02-11-19, 11:15 AM
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Thanks 63rickert, I’ll check with some builders. I agree with you that it’s too nice to let go of and I’d really rather not just hang it on the wall.
02-11-19, 11:17 AM
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Gaaaak!
I figure you can do one of two things:
Hang it on the wall or the rafters and suspect everyone is a louse from here on out.
OR
Have it repaired professionally, put way more money into it than you ever dreamed, become a legend on Bike Forums for doing so and saving something with a history and the joy you'll get from riding it when it's all finished.
Either way, I'd get an aluminum bat and............never mind.
I figure you can do one of two things:
Hang it on the wall or the rafters and suspect everyone is a louse from here on out.
OR
Have it repaired professionally, put way more money into it than you ever dreamed, become a legend on Bike Forums for doing so and saving something with a history and the joy you'll get from riding it when it's all finished.
Either way, I'd get an aluminum bat and............never mind.
Last edited by nomadmax; 02-11-19 at 11:20 AM.
02-11-19, 11:27 AM
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Look at it from the bright side: it's more interesting than a dent in the top tube. 
02-11-19, 11:39 AM
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02-11-19, 11:44 AM
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02-11-19, 12:38 PM
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Looks like hot glue or epoxy to me. Hot glue would be thermoplastic; epoxy would not. Either way it should be possible to melt most of it out with a micro-torch.
I sent you contact info for Alex, in the event you want to try that route.
I sent you contact info for Alex, in the event you want to try that route.
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02-11-19, 12:52 PM
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Thanks Hudson308! I’ll give Alex a call and report back here soon.