85 Rockhopper w/ a hole drilled into the seat stay
06-12-21, 08:09 AM
#1
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85 Rockhopper w/ a hole drilled into the seat stay
I picked up this 85 Specialized Rockhopper yesterday for $25. I knew before purchasing it that a hole had been drilled into the seat stay in order to install a rear derailleur guard. The wheels, bullmoose bars, Specialized Flag Crank, & shifters are all in fantastic condition, so I knew I couldn't go wrong for $25. What I'm wondering though, is the frame structurally challenged? I removed the derailleur guard, & the hole looks fairly clean, no obvious rust. But the hole was drilled off center. Anybody dealt with an issue like this? Will steel rivnuts help? I hate to just chuck a 1st year Rockhopper, but have no interest in catastrophic frame failure.
Last edited by OutnBack; 06-12-21 at 08:13 AM.
06-12-21, 08:25 AM
#2
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OutnBack I would think a frame builder could fill it with braze and it would be fine. It looks like part of the hole hit the DO. Please confirm.
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06-12-21, 08:30 AM
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Cut a rod of the proper diameter and length, have it brazed/welded in, grind/file smooth, touch up paint.
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06-12-21, 09:43 AM
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Seat stays are probably the least stressed tubes on a bike. Plus, the hole appears to have been drilled through the tab on the dropout. I would not have any concern about that at all. It's kinda like the old-timey bolt on seat stays,
06-12-21, 11:00 AM
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You stole it for $25. Fill the holes with just about anything and it's got another 30 years in it.
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06-12-21, 11:17 AM
#7
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The plan for the bike was to take advantage of the relaxed angles & long chainstays & turn it into an urban grocery-getter/bar bike. Certainly nothing crazy.
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06-12-21, 11:57 AM
#8
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The tires (Forte?) look recent enough that someone has been riding it like that. I'd probably bolt that sucker back on and use it like you intend.
06-12-21, 12:47 PM
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Agreed. If that hole were to cause a problem it would probably start to crack and you'd get plenty of notice before anything catastrophic happened... it'd start to feel squirmy or maybe the tire would rub on a chainstay.
06-12-21, 01:48 PM
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Find a bolt that will thread in relatively tight, slather it with flux, hit it with a quick braze and grind the ends off.
