Bent Mixtie Frame, can it be bent back?
#26
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,509
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2746 Post(s)
Liked 3,390 Times
in
2,053 Posts
Good news is the vertical bend is supposed to be there.
Lay it flat, stand on the twin tubes, and see what happens. String test
https://www.willhaben.at/iad/kaufen-...662#fullscreen
Bicycles in Vienna, Part IV: Mixte Galore
Lay it flat, stand on the twin tubes, and see what happens. String test
https://www.willhaben.at/iad/kaufen-...662#fullscreen
Bicycles in Vienna, Part IV: Mixte Galore
#27
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 476
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 253 Post(s)
Liked 223 Times
in
118 Posts
Good news is the vertical bend is supposed to be there.
Lay it flat, stand on the twin tubes, and see what happens. String test
https://www.willhaben.at/iad/kaufen-...662#fullscreen
Bicycles in Vienna, Part IV: Mixte Galore
Lay it flat, stand on the twin tubes, and see what happens. String test
https://www.willhaben.at/iad/kaufen-...662#fullscreen
Bicycles in Vienna, Part IV: Mixte Galore
#28
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
#30
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,509
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2746 Post(s)
Liked 3,390 Times
in
2,053 Posts
#31
I don't know.
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 2,015
Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night, '89 Marinoni
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 317 Post(s)
Liked 853 Times
in
446 Posts
heck ya, give it a go! It'll be SO gratifying if you get that back on the road. I've straightened some throw-away rims and pre-war bicycle frames using a large vise, home made wood jigs, long 2x3s and trees in my yard. A tree with a v in it is mighty useful. I hope you succeed.
edit: oh ya, and once I used my car to straighten a frame. I drove over the frame carefully.
edit: oh ya, and once I used my car to straighten a frame. I drove over the frame carefully.
Last edited by RB1-luvr; 01-06-23 at 07:32 AM.
Likes For RB1-luvr:
#32
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,396
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,696 Times
in
2,517 Posts
That's going to be a pain to get the head tube aligned with the rest of the bike. I would be sorely tempted to cut out that bridge at the bend point. I'm not sure how someone that doesn't have an alignment table would straighten that head tube. Although I suppose a couple of steel rods of the appropriate size would do it.
Likes For unterhausen:
#33
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 476
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 253 Post(s)
Liked 223 Times
in
118 Posts
heck ya, give it a go! It'll be SO gratifying if you get that back on the road. I've straightened some throw-away rims and pre-war bicycle frames using a large vise, home made wood jigs, long 2x3s and trees in my yard. A tree with a v in it is mighty useful. I hope you succeed.
edit: oh ya, and once I used my car to straighten a frame. I drove over the frame carefully.
edit: oh ya, and once I used my car to straighten a frame. I drove over the frame carefully.
Likes For Positron400:
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,670
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 836 Post(s)
Liked 1,061 Times
in
745 Posts
Check YouTube videos. Plenty of info on how to straighten tubes, align frames, etc. Spend some time checking a few out and you just may be able to make it decent.
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,220
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 495 Post(s)
Liked 431 Times
in
331 Posts
I've used a car to pull a frame into shape, but never driven over one. This frame does look like it might have been driven into at the back of a garage.
Likes For grumpus:
#36
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 476
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 253 Post(s)
Liked 223 Times
in
118 Posts
In the absence of suitable trees, I've used a lamp post to anchor something bent that needed straightening. Wooden wedges will probably be useful for this one to get the kinks out of the top tubes and spread them to the correct spacing - cut two wedges, place them tip to tail so the outer faces are parallel, then hammer them together. Construction lumber and ratchet straps can move frame tubes., or just support the frame on the ground on pieces of wood and stand/jump on the bit that needs adjusting.
I've used a car to pull a frame into shape, but never driven over one. This frame does look like it might have been driven into at the back of a garage.
I've used a car to pull a frame into shape, but never driven over one. This frame does look like it might have been driven into at the back of a garage.
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,297
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1142 Post(s)
Liked 1,739 Times
in
960 Posts
I have a bunch of clamps, a wood bench. I made wood frame blocks. I do some 3-point press with the blocks the clamps and bench.
The head tube alignment is not that difficult either.
The head tube alignment is not that difficult either.
Likes For Mr. 66:
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,297
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1142 Post(s)
Liked 1,739 Times
in
960 Posts
Fork lengthening, one side was short. Here I'm using a furniture clamp doing a 3-point press. One at the tip, bend and crown.
Once the length was right I had to push or pull to much offset. I secure the steertube and crown for that.
Once the length was right I had to push or pull to much offset. I secure the steertube and crown for that.
Likes For Mr. 66:
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,297
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1142 Post(s)
Liked 1,739 Times
in
960 Posts
But I starteted with seattube alignment. Here I used a barbell with twist locks
Here is how far out the downtube was.
Here is the downtube alignment happening.
Here is how far out the downtube was.
Here is the downtube alignment happening.
Likes For Mr. 66:
Likes For Mr. 66:
#42
I am potato.
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 3,116
Bikes: Only precision built, custom high performance elitist machines of the highest caliber. 🍆
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1789 Post(s)
Liked 1,629 Times
in
933 Posts
__________________
I shouldn't have to "make myself more visible;" Drivers should just stop running people over.
Car dependency is a tax.
I shouldn't have to "make myself more visible;" Drivers should just stop running people over.
Car dependency is a tax.
#44
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 476
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 253 Post(s)
Liked 223 Times
in
118 Posts
Nah, not giving up yet - despite the fact that trying to bend it back myself hasnt been very successful. Headtube is still not aligned with the seattube (which is all I was really hoping for). Will try'n ask a few LBSs for assistance if they can at least align that for a small fee. If that fail (or is too expensive) I will likely put it aside for now.
#45
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,509
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2746 Post(s)
Liked 3,390 Times
in
2,053 Posts
Likes For dedhed:
#46
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 476
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 253 Post(s)
Liked 223 Times
in
118 Posts
I paid 3k for 13 Harley Road King with crooked frame. It turned out ONLY seat subrame was bent. I removed it, spent about 30 min. hitting it with hammer, installed it back with some washers/spacers, that was it!!!! I made OK profit. When I buy dead car or motorcycle, I need to estimate buying/selling price and parts cost. I don't like working for free.
If this guy successfully adjusts frame, it will still be banged up, no resale value.
If this guy successfully adjusts frame, it will still be banged up, no resale value.
Exactly!
Likes For Positron400:
#47
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 476
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 253 Post(s)
Liked 223 Times
in
118 Posts
Alright - quick update. Went to my LBS this afternoon, and we were able to fix the twisted headtube and realign the downtube. They had some frame-straightening jig from Park tool which was just new in the shop, and they were itching to try it out. Guess my frame was perfect timing. The whole affair basically cost me nothing but a couple of beers/a tip. Everyone was real enthusiastic and eager to have a go at my frame . Will share pics later - And also will take ideas as to how to build it up. I was thinking dropbars, with some type of friction and a 1x8 / 1x9 drivetrain. Should be fun!
EDIT: As promised, some pics from the realigned frame:
EDIT: As promised, some pics from the realigned frame:
Last edited by Positron400; 01-09-23 at 10:59 AM.
#50
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,446 Times
in
1,557 Posts
A few judicious licks with a deadblow hammer will likely get the twin lateral tubes back in line but twisting that headtube straight will take a little more effort. Run a close-fitting pipe through the BB shell and anchor it to immobilize the frame and get another close-fitting pipe to run through the head tube. That's the one you'll lean on to realign the head tube.