DooberD

Recently came across another project frameset (Bridgestone Sirius), and since I have no real aspirations to tackle another rebuild immediately, I’m wondering what you folks would recommend in the way of storage for vintage steel?

The exterior has been thoroughly cleaned and the interior has been hit with FrameSaver a couple times. Should I worry about the BB threads being exposed for any length of time? Should I “plug” them and the tubes with rags or steel wool? Or maybe I’m being a worry wart?

Let’s say the frame will hang from the garage rafters for 6 months.

Thanks in advance!

alcjphil

If I were worried about the bottom bracket threads corroding, I would smear them with a liberal coating of grease before hanging the frame up. Hopefully the storage area isn't too humid

DooberD

Will do, thanks!

joesch

RE: Let’s say the frame will hang from the garage rafters for 6 months.

Let’s suggest the frame will hang in the house as artwork to be admired until put into use.
This will also keep motivation for rebuild.

iab

I've had a steel Rockhopper hanging in my garage now for a decade because someone won't let me sell it. But I digress. My point being is that I don't think Montana is more humid than Illinois. The Rockhopper is fine. Just don't cover anything with plastic. Air circulation is needed to prevent condensation.

DooberD

That would be great Joe, except the Mrs might make me sleep in the garage instead!

DooberD

You see, this is why I asked. I was planning on putting it in a large plastic bag. Thank you! I sometimes store components in small plastic bags just to keep em in order. Think I should stop doing that?

3alarmer 

.
...I routinely have at least four or five repainting projects hanging from hooks on a workshop rafter, that has a roof, but is open to the weather on two sides.
I do nothing to them, other than that initial interior frame oiling you mention, and they seem to be fine. Let the frame oil stuff cover the BB shell as well, if you are worried.

bark_eater 

Ive got a hoarder stash hanging in my attic. It gets pretty hot up there in the summer and I run a couple big fans to keep the heat down, but the bikes do a heating cooling cycle everyday. I try and clean every bike and then soak it down with wd-40. Some of the bikes have been up there 4 years. I think that there might be a little more rust on a things that were already rusty, but the clean bikes are the same. I havent frame savered anything but most of the bikes have the seat post pulled as seats really dont survive the heat. All my "keepers" are in an insulated garage with a dehumidifier though.

iab

Put some holes in the bags. Don't wrap the bag tight. Or, get some cloth bags. Again, no trapped moisture.

I saw a blue tarp laid over a Jag E-Type for a single winter make it rust. No worries, the car was only for parts.

gearbasher

I kept a steel frame for 5 years (bought new) in my basement. All I did was lightly oil the tubes. It was wrapped it large plastic bag that was not sealed and stored in an old steamer trunk my Grandmother used when coming through Ellis Island. My basement was very humid in the summers and very dry in the winters. Not a speck of rust inside when I eventually built it up.

Classtime 

I keep my bin bits in plastic bags so they don't get more scratched when I dig in the bin. Maybe I should use paper?

I'm gad my Sirrus wasn't stored in a plastic bag. It was only left in sombody's yard under some dirt and assorted ignored weeds for 20 years. Otherwise the BB and stem could have been troublesome.

bark_eater 

I put everything in ziplocks and haven't had any rust problems, but I am a habitual wd40 sprayer. One recent unfortunate discovery is that mouse piss will ruin paint, or at least the lacquer on vintage hand planes, Cute but curse-ed creatures they are..

Wileyone 

I remember reading an article about Holdsworth's Putney shop. Apparently when a frame was completed it was coated with raw linseed oil until it was ready for paint.

Jeff Neese

I have complete bicycles and a couple frames, not to mention a few wheelsets, up in my garage attic. I don't do anything special. When I retrieve something it's always in fine shape.

If you're really concerned, I'd buy one of those large "Banana Bags" and put the frame in that, along with a tub of Damp-rid.

bark_eater 

I forgot to emphasize that I clean every bike really well before soaking with wd40. I've found that dirt or dust really give rust a foot hold with metal items.

DooberD

lol!

Greg R

I've found engine fogging spray works very well. It gets into nooks and crannies and come time it stays put. It also cleans up well with mild solvent such as mineral spirits, not like gummy WD40 or linseed oil. Other than that air circulation is your best friend and what ever cover to keep the dust or dirt to a minimum.
Gawd! the bane of all storage! 2nd only to tom cat markings. Besides paint ruination, if left on steel long enough it will always stink and ruin further paint jobs.