Fritzed head tube ??

[Keith B]

I was jsut doing some upgrading to my SS and noticed that there are 2 cracks in the head tube!

Both cracks are about 1/3" long (Forgive me your majesty for using old school units) one from the bottom and one from the top. God knows how long they've been there because the thing is usually filthy!

Is this the end of the line for the frame or is it possible to do a weld inlay and repair if you can someone thats skilled in Aluminium (compensating with the spelling for my earlier non metric faux pas)

I'd be gutted to scrap this frame is its chainstay length means I dont need to run a chain tensioner plus its made from uber light Columbus Zonal tubing. Its only normally used for fireroad and smooth trails but I'm not keen on the fork making a bid for freedom through the headtube incase I take another spill and pick up a further stresss fracture in some of my own metal. Any ideas??

[.8down]

Originally Posted by Keith B

I was jsut doing some upgrading to my SS and noticed that there are 2 cracks in the head tube!

Both cracks are about 1/3" long (Forgive me your majesty for using old school units) one from the bottom and one from the top. God knows how long they've been there because the thing is usually filthy!

Is this the end of the line for the frame or is it possible to do a weld inlay and repair if you can someone thats skilled in Aluminium (compensating with the spelling for my earlier non metric faux pas)

I'd be gutted to scrap this frame is its chainstay length means I dont need to run a chain tensioner plus its made from uber light Columbus Zonal tubing. Its only normally used for fireroad and smooth trails but I'm not keen on the fork making a bid for freedom through the headtube incase I take another spill and pick up a further stresss fracture in some of my own metal. Any ideas??

sell me the parts? hahaha

[CalEpic]

Just put a couple hose clamps on there. It should be fine

I'll let the welders chime in as I'm just being a smart-ass today.

Sorry to hear about your bike.

C

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by Keith B

I was jsut doing some upgrading to my SS and noticed that there are 2 cracks in the head tube!

Both cracks are about 1/3" long (Forgive me your majesty for using old school units) one from the bottom and one from the top. God knows how long they've been there because the thing is usually filthy!

Is this the end of the line for the frame or is it possible to do a weld inlay and repair if you can someone thats skilled in Aluminium (compensating with the spelling for my earlier non metric faux pas)

I'd be gutted to scrap this frame is its chainstay length means I dont need to run a chain tensioner plus its made from uber light Columbus Zonal tubing. Its only normally used for fireroad and smooth trails but I'm not keen on the fork making a bid for freedom through the headtube incase I take another spill and pick up a further stresss fracture in some of my own metal. Any ideas??

What is the make and model?
How old is the frame?
Was this the factory installed HS?

[Keith B]

Its a British made Hinde M3. It may well be that when the HS was pressed in the damage occurred and i never noticed. I also thought of using hose clamps Craig LOL!Frame is year 2000

Some nice stuff on it - XTR cranks, Hope mini MONO's.

[Burner]

sounds like it's time for you to build up a SS 29er Keith

[spookydave]

is it an alum or cromo frame?

[tkblazer]

time to retire that bish.... no reason to try and ride around on a cracked frame

[Keith B]

DOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is two totalled frames in like 4 months!!!
What do you do with old frame sets that are making a bid for the great bike shop in the sky?

[.8down]

Originally Posted by Keith B

DOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is two totalled frames in like 4 months!!!
What do you do with old frame sets that are making a bid for the great bike shop in the sky?

Trophies in the Garage.

[HUGH]

Can you post a picture of the cracks? Also if you could find on the frame what kind of aliminum it is that would be a big help.

HUGH

[Keith B]

Here's the spec from Columbus: http://www.columbustubi.com/eng/4_3_6.htm
also see this page about the 700 series alloy - lookslike TIG only http://www.columbustubi.com/eng/3_2.htm

will post pics later

[tkblazer]

i'd save it for the races... would make a great noise maker

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by Keith B

Its a British made Hinde M3

There's your problem!

[Keith B]

[allison]

Buy like a cheapie frame from Jenson or similar. Unless The Path has cheap steel HT frames? Sounds like you have all the good parts for a new frame.

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by LBmtb

There's your problem!

the British automakers decided not to make computers? It was imposible to get them to leak oil

[SAR_boats]

Columbus Zonal is self tempering 7000 series aluminum, so having to re-heat treat the frame is a non-issue.

You have 2 options:

You can weld in a piece of 1" 7000 Aluminum in the headtube and swap headsets to 1" ( I can hear the groans already)

or

You can have a machine shop cross drill and face the cracks to stop their path, then ream out the headtube 1/10th of an inch then sleeve it with 50/1000 inch 7005 tubing then weld it in place and then fill in the cracks and holes with welding rod

Or get a new frame

[Keith B]

Here we go..........

[allison]

After seeing the pics, I say just duct tape it.