How many times can you repair a steel frame?

[baldbones]

A few years ago I had the front triangle of a bike I’m very fond of replace due to an accident.

Now I would like to replace the rear triangle to allow for discs ie new chainstays

The sensible thing would be do get a new frame but hey I like this one!

So is there any danger in putting heat into the bottom bracket area again?

Thanks
Rick

[ceya]

I have had one done 3 times.

Just get a builder who is experienced.

Tom Kellogg, Johnny Coast and Mikkelsen are good examples.

[David Kirk]

Is it lugged to tigged? If lugged was it brass or silver brazed?

dave

[baldbones]

The frame is Lugged and brass brazed

[Joxster]

Why not take the frame to a builder and get them to replicate it but with the all the add ons you want?

[thegunner]

isn't this theseus' ship?

you can replace tubes on a steel infinite times no?

[martl]

Originally Posted by baldbones

A few years ago I had the front triangle of a bike I’m very fond of replace due to an accident.

Now I would like to replace the rear triangle to allow for discs ie new chainstays

The sensible thing would be do get a new frame but hey I like this one!

So is there any danger in putting heat into the bottom bracket area again?

Thanks
Rick

i do own a 1951 Girardengo frame thats been in the family from the beginning. it has a dented top and lower tube due to some crash neither my dad nor my uncle (the two users before me) admit to having had. I have talked to a framebuilder, and he says those can be repaired by replacing, no problem.
High quality lugged frames are silver brazed for a reason: the low temperature means no damage to the structure of the steel. Can be re-done without problem, if done by a master.

[Peter P.]

I had the seat tube on my Bilenky replaced 3 times. Perhaps that gives you a sense of the possibility.

[Ken Robb]

The OLD joke about George Washington's axe. We replaced the handle three times and the head twice but it's still "George Washington's Axe".

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

The OLD joke about George Washington's axe. We replaced the handle three times and the head twice but it's still "George Washington's Axe".

The story about George Washington's axe may be joke, but it is a fairly accurate description of the old wooden ship the USS Constitution. It may be the oldest commissioned war ship in the world, but it has been refit and overhauled so many times, very little of the current ship is from the original ship.

[cnighbor1]

I know Robert Freeman formerly of Davidson Cycles seattle
When he came down to my area to ride 90 miles with his Dad on his dad's 90th birthday ride, a customer of his was on the ride with his steel lugged Davidson. Bob mentioned it had over 100,000 miles on it and when it hit 100,000 his shop repainted it free. And owner still riding it today

[RocketPockets]

You should bring it to a builder near your area if there is one or send pictures of your bike to a builder and see if its possible to get what you want.

[bicycletricycle]

42 times

[HenryA]

The answer is “yes”.

[baldbones]

Thanks for all the replies
That’s a great help!