Originally Posted by
r3dr0ver
Acting on the advice of others on another part of this forum, I am posting this question here:After 30 years of day to day use and multiple loaded tours in 12 states and 9 foreign countries, the down tube on my 1985 Nishiki Riviera GT frame broke.
The break is about 2 inches below where the double-butted steel down tube joins the head tube, just below the lug that holds those two tubes together.
The rest of the frame appears to be solid.
Is this break repairable?
I have seen suggestions that a sleeve can be brazed over the break as the cheapest way to bring this bike back into use. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of repair?
Otherwise, the alternatives are much more expensive, from what I've gathered, including replacing the down tube. Your thoughts?
Agreed on asking the framebuilders forum regarding that sleeve fix. I've mostly heard about tube replacement in this case but maybe a sleeve is legit? For reference re: tube replacement, here is Bilenky's price list. They quote $300 (plus shipping) for downtube replacement.
https://www.bilenky.com/featured Prices will vary with other framebuilders and you can save shipping costs by going with a local builder but that gives you an idea of what a frame repair would cost.