Frame repair Ann Arbor Michigan
#1
Frame repair Ann Arbor Michigan
I'm looking for recommendations for frame builders in Ann Arbor who would repair the top of a seat tube on a vintage tandem (steel frame). The lip of the seat tube got crumpled during shipping. I should have left the seat post in the seat tube for shipping. Never underestimate UPS when it comes to bike tossing.
#4
framebuilder
You might try Matt Assenmacher in Swartz Creek near Flint. He is one of America's original frame builders that started soon after the bike boom of 1970. He learned at Bob Jackson in Leeds after graduating from Central Michigan University. However he runs a bicycle store that probably is really busy right now with the new surge in bicycle interest. He likes to do frame stuff in the winter months. He like me is also a painter. I went to England a few years after Matt. If you don't mind the longer drive I can probably help you out. .
#7
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Location: Rochester, NY
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Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
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I would use a smaller diameter seat post to initially bend out the lip. Using a combo of bending force and impacts against the smaller post from behind, taking care to mind the smaller post's end inside the seat tube and the potential to result in a slight bump out there. Perhaps using another post cut lengthwise as a sleeve to better support the ST ID. As the lip becomes nearly correct I would move to a post that just barely slips past the lip and repeat. Then a properly sized post to finish. You might have to add a bit of reverse force at the lip's upper edge to flatten it against the post for best looks. A slight reaming and/or honing to complete the job before paint. Basic blacksmithy although with care. Andy
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AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
#8
If you are going to do it yourself try using a 28mm tapered carrot drift https://www.digikey.com/product-deta...oaAhOJEALw_wcB
Tighten the seatpost bolt insert drift and hit the drift in the direction of the top tube to try to flatten out the bent lip then and gradually tap the drift into the seat tube you may need to hit the outside of the seat tube as well. You will probably have to have the seat post reamed to make the seat post a smooth fit.
Tighten the seatpost bolt insert drift and hit the drift in the direction of the top tube to try to flatten out the bent lip then and gradually tap the drift into the seat tube you may need to hit the outside of the seat tube as well. You will probably have to have the seat post reamed to make the seat post a smooth fit.
#10
framebuilder
I looked at my old Imron paint chart from the 80's and I think the color is H7994U Seminole Red Metallic. I may still have a partial can somewhere. It was the only red metallic color available in that particular chart. It was the 2nd chart Dupont did for Imron paint.