Assessing steel frame damage
 

Hi all,

I chose the frame builders forum for this as I thought I’d get advice from the experts!

I’ve just started work building a second bike and I’ve noticed the frame that I’ve inherited is a tad bent.

Not sure how it happened as I don’t really know the history, how unsafe would it be to ride?

I’ve ridden it briefly and the steering is very very twitchy, and I feel it may be mildly Mia-aligned now but that could also be an issue with the spare wheels that I have.

I understand that the risk is my own to take regardless of everyone’s advice.

Any and all advice is appreciated!

S

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8a74c2da4.jpeg
Underside of frame cable hole
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3d78644de.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...778b8eeed.jpeg
Slight kink in cut-out
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...338dee078.jpeg
Top tube noticeably bent downwards
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6427dabf6.jpeg
Is this bent to the left slightly?
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1b6cd9040.jpeg


S

Do you see a downtube bend? I wonder if someone added an internal brake line to a frame that was made under stress, and it buckled at the opening.

I'm not sure what specifically are the concerns... so I'll just say some stuff.

The brake cable port and front underside of the TT- Are the squiggly lines cracks, rust fingers or the uneven edges of the paint that's under the primer? I see no obvious tube ripples in the usual locations to suspect a front end impact. I do see some odd lump adjacent to the cable port. It could be brass filler that had gooped up there and was never fully removed during the making of this frame. Or it could be a bad Bondoing of something that's not wanted to be shown to a buyer:) Have you placed a straight edge along the top tube's upper side to see if the tube is bowed, or straight? Same with the down tube.

No good views of the fork so can't say much about possible bend back from a frontal impact. The pic from above is off angle enough to not be useable as any reference for the fork being splayed to one side or the other. One view that would be good to see is from the dead on front with the fork rotated 90*, the head tube and fork blades will line up.

Can you provide more info about this frame? Looks to be a Raleigh and by the thick head badge one of the Asian ones. There were some nice models but the vast majority that most shops sold were fairly base lever examples. You mention the twitchy steering. Compared to what bike? Is there a local shop or "frame guy" that can take a look at the bike? Don't be surprised if the aligning is worth more then the bike is (if the bike is one of the basic models). Andy

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...985ebadc0.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4a0f402b5.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c8800cc56.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c47614acb.jpeg

Here’s so more images to try and show the slight bends in the top and down tubes. The forks seem to be fine when turned 90 degrees both ways.

By “twitchy” steering I mean as if someone has tried to adjust the castor to improve responsiveness, so the forks are more near vertical than usual.

The frame is a UK built Raleigh made in Nottingham I believe.

It sure looks like a traditional front impact that was made worse by the unsupported internal routing hole (that is in the worst possible locations btw).

I now agree with Cynikal. The additional images are telling. Thanks for them.

I would likely not put much, if any, $ into this bike. Both the impacted frame and the internal routed cable are deal breakers for me. While it can be bent into a different geometry it is hard to know what was OEM spec was. I suggest finding a frame that hasn't suffered so badly (and maybe has better paint:)) Andy

Are you sure the fork blades haven't been bent back?

Definitely bent from a frontal impact, so the head tube angle is steeper than intended. I wouldn't have any concerns with riding it, just keep an eye on that unsupported cable routing hole in the top tube.