RobE30

A frame that is going to be coming my way (unless the seller doesn't play ball) has a smaller than a dime sized dent on the DT just above the shifters. It almost looks like it got dinged by the small end of a ball peen hammer

What are my options besides putting a small sticker over it? I'd really like to preserve the OG paint if possible. Thoughts?

auchencrow

Preserving the original paint at the ding may not be possible. (If it is I'd like to know myself)

Hi RobE30 -
I have done a couple repairs using greased up, exact fit compression blocks, clamped and rotated 360 about the tube.
It does leave damage to the paint of course, but it certainly minimizes the dent.



- If it is a minor ding, I would not bother with this sort of medicine.
- If it is not minor, make sure you get a very significant discount from the seller regardless of what repair methods you employ.

Bianchigirll 

didn't Var or Stein actually make a tool like this once? where on the DT is it? does it line up with the brakes or maybe the handlebar?

RobE30

Here is a picture.

I'm suggesting the seller reduces the price by $70. He's already offered to give a full refund, but I really want the bike so we shall see.

tugrul

Is that how he intends to pack it? I'd take the refund.

randyjawa 

The "ding" was caused by a side pull brake caliper banging into the down tube. Or, a result of multiple bangs, over the years. I might add that this is a very common malady for high end vintage road bicycle frames.





A good quick fix that works and looks OK is to simply glue a piece of felt onto the offending spot. You can buy these little felt pads at dept stores or the like.

The repair (disguise) looked just fine on this Sekine SHX270, and helps to prevent further damage from occurring.

RobE30

That picture was taken at the LBS as they were doing a "test" fit. The first thing I noticed was the CRAPPY packing job! My dog'd do a better job

norskagent

This would be the appropriate sticker to hide the downtube ding:

Chombi

Many other different brands of brakes have rubber cushioning buttons on the upper caliper arm and/or cable adjuster wheels that usually makes contact with the DT if you let the front wheel swing about. Problem is, many cyclist do not know what these rubber buttons are for and sometimes take them off permanently when servicing their brakes, or don't bother replacing them if they fall off.
Personally, I always thought that bikes with a lot of damage on their downtubes from a front caliper arm was not loved or taken care of as much as one that has none, so it's one of the first things I check out when considering bike frames to buy.

Chombi

miamijim

I'd tell you to take it as is or dont.....

rhm

Yup, that would look good.

It was also common to wrap a ring of handlebar tape around the downtube right where the brake arm hits.

JohnDThompson 

Bicycle Research:

treebound 

I read here or elsewhere of someone using water inside the tubing and letting the bike frame sit outside in freezing weather for a short while to push the dent out as the water froze and the pressure increased. The risk is a split tube.

If it doesn't compromise safety I'd just ride it as is. And if the dent is enough to cause concern then I'd pass on it.

Grand Bois

That ding is obviously in the wrong place to have been caused by the brake. I wouldn't be concerned about it. You might be able to conceal with a well-placed pump umbrella.

jtgotsjets

+1, unless I'm seriously missing something in the picture...

Ivandarken

Yes, the ice method has been covered to some extent in another thread.

I tested the ice method last winter with a junk frame. I hit it (hard) with a hammer 3 times-filled it with water-sealed the ends-and put it outside.

Remarkably, the only way I could tell that it had been damaged was some paint marks from the impact. Mind you, these were sizable dents that would normally have you throwing the frame away.

I was going to try this on a high end frame I have after my test... however it never got cold enough and I have to wait a little bit for it to get cold this year.

If you try this... and I recommend using a test bike first... monitor the frame every half hour or so, otherwise you risk more damage.

randyjawa 

When I posted the pictures of the common dent caused by side pull brakes, I had not seen the OP's pictures of his damage. Obviously, not caused by the brake.

rootboy 

Hey! I think I recognize that bike. Isn't that that International painted Professional colors that your wife got you for Christmas? Hard to see from that picture, but, if it were me, I'd just leave it. Doesn't look too bad. battle scars. But then, are you planning on a repaint? If so, you can take more extreme measures to pull that dent out and fill it.

RobE30

The seller did compromise on the price, so I'm happy and he's happy. I'm probably going to just leave it and put the Campy equipped sticker over it. A pump is a great idea to cover it too. Also, if someone steals it, it is a personal identifier I'm really excited to get this bike, it just needs to have the correct brake levers and calipers sourced and a really good bath and lube

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Seller also confirmed that the pic was a "test fit" and the frame will be packed correctly with padding.

It really looks from those pics that the Pronational paint job is original.