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View Full Version : Can this 753 frame be repaired?

Nick H.
04-09-2006, 09:16 AM
As you can see I have managed to clobber the top tube of my much loved Condor 753 from several directions. Is it possible to repair it? I would imagine that what it needs is to have a section of tube cut out and replaced. But can this be done? 753 must be about the most difficult tubing to work with.

To get a definitive answer I'll have to take the frame back to Condor - which is OK, they're only 75 miles away - but I thought I would show you guys first in case you know about this stuff.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a248/nhorley/P1010015.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a248/nhorley/P1010016.jpg
David Kirk
04-09-2006, 09:22 AM
Yes........it can be repaired. The entire top tube will be replaced and it's a pretty simple job.

Dave
Nick H.
04-09-2006, 09:27 AM
Wow - fantastic! I'm going to get it all resprayed too. I believe 753 decals are still available too. I hope you can still get the little ones for the fork blades.
Smiley
04-09-2006, 09:29 AM
thats the beauty of lugged steel :)
rePhil
04-09-2006, 09:47 AM
I watched firsthand as a crash wrinkled tigged downtube was replaced during a visit to Marinoni in Canada. They acted and stated it was no big deal.
I am a tig convert. Considering the number of welds, welds exposed for everyone to see, I have a lot of respect for the guy who tigs a beauty of a frame.
Nick H.
04-09-2006, 09:52 AM
I don't think 753 can be Tig welded. It's weakened by high temperatures. I think you have to use silver solder. Very few people were ever licenced by Reynolds to work with it.
alancw3
04-09-2006, 11:03 AM
I don't think 753 can be Tig welded. It's weakened by high temperatures. I think you have to use silver solder. Very few people were ever licenced by Reynolds to work with it.

that is true. bob jackson was the first to be licensed to be a 753 frame builder. my understanding is that 753 is an extremely strong tubing that can be made very thin but very difficult to weld. something to do with fatique at the weld edges. i am sure that dave kirk would know far more about 753 than me.
stevep
04-09-2006, 12:50 PM
753 is nice tubing. back in the day i had a couple of frames built with that stuff... nice, light.