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Post by Stella on May 3, 2014 10:36:38 GMT
Not so much a Viscount specific technical topic, but something that might come in handy for anyone buying a Viscount (or any other old steel bike) based on a picture or two and being confronted with in the title mentioned problem. Upon closer inspection of the Thame bike, I discovered that the drive side drop out was bent wide open. I suspect the original derailleur was caught in the wheel, which explains the existence of the Suntour RD when everything else was Huret. From experience (with forks or even whole frames) I know that it's easy when it comes to steel frames: you just reverse what's causes the damage. But even with steel, there's a good chance of it snapping. Given my recent bad luck with frames (poor blue Sport frame), I was prepared for the worse. First, I tried to clamp it into a vice and bend down the frame, but the whole thing slipped. After a few other thoughts I discussed with a mate who's got plenty of experience and he pushed me in the right direction: long pole/seat post shoved over the drop out and then bending it back with leverage. In the absence of a pole in my flat, I rummaged around as I knew I had a large socket; paired with an adjustable spanner it's as good, if not better than a pole. Attachment DeletedI can only upload three pictures per post, so the 'what I did to solve it' will be in the next post.
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Post by Stella on May 3, 2014 10:39:25 GMT
And here's in pictures what I did. Should explain it, really. Worked a treat. The dropout's back in place, frame saved and will go to the powder coating company today.
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Post by stoatie on May 3, 2014 11:23:38 GMT
Nice save Stella, I've seen them bent horizontally before but I've not seen one bent like that. Steels such a wonderful material for things like this, carbon or ally and that would have been a right off.
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Post by Stella on May 3, 2014 16:20:53 GMT
Yep, a visitor to my blog reported a horizontally bent dropout. It's the same fix, just in a different direction. Frames getting a new dress now. Unfortunately it's also dented and that would have set me back 25 quid, so I kept it for 'character'.
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