Bent frame

[THE STIG]

It might be possible with a 2x4 just like Sheldon Brown's hub spacing trick.. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

What ever you do don’t do this. Totally different material. You need to mount the seat post and pull close to the bent area (which look to be close to the seat post). You pull it from the dropouts and it’ll just bend the stays in another location.

 

[buickmike]

Stiff, show the pictures of your use of laser to determine straightness of dropoutd

 

[THE STIG]

Stiff, show the pictures of your use of laser to determine straightness of dropoutd

Pics long gone. That was like 4-5 phones ago

Did post pics on the forum showing when it’s done wrong and puts a bend in another location. Long ago tho.

 

[Krakatoa]

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[gtflyte]

It might be possible with a 2x4 just like Sheldon Brown's hub spacing trick.. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-

My frame was bent.
I fitted a 2X6x6 secured into the chain stays and drop outs Then placed hanger tube over my bike repair stand and adjusted via prying up the wood checking with square , straight edge.and string.
Not to high tech but worked out ok.Thanks GT

 

[49autocycledeluxe]

^^^^^^^ I like that one. you want to be sure you don't bend something else while fixing the damage

 

[ozzie]

It needs to go in a jig to get it right. I have trued rear ends that were out a little using the method outlined in Sheldon Brown’s website with good results but doubt you would achieve the same.

Its a really nice desirable frame worth saving.

 

[AndyA]

...its real easy to wind up with a bigger mess than you have.

True, but when did that ever stop a red-blooded shade tree mechanic?

But straightening that thing would be a lot of fun in itself.

See what I mean? That's the spirit!

I would be so tempted to build it up and try and ride it as is first.

Yes! Looks like left turns would be easier than right turns. Kinda set up like a NASCAR racer.

It might be possible with a 2x4 just like Sheldon Brown's hub spacing trick.

Or use the next generation tool: a 2X3 with a sophisticated, fully adjustable fulcrum mechanism (various blocks of wood held with duct tape). See pic below. To steady the bike, this tool should be used with a horizontal, gravitational-assisted holding implement (basement floor). Have fun and let us know how it worked out!

 

[Fritz Katzenjammer]

True, but when did that ever stop a red-blooded shade tree mechanic?

See what I mean? That's the spirit!

Yes! Looks like left turns would be easier than right turns. Kinda set up like a NASCAR racer.

Or use the next generation tool: a 2X3 with a sophisticated, fully adjustable fulcrum mechanism (various blocks of wood held with duct tape). See pic below. To steady the bike, this tool should be used with a horizontal, gravitational-assisted holding implement (basement floor). Have fun and let us know how it worked out!

View attachment 1948784

It’s likely a good thing you and I aren’t living next door to each other… nothing truly productive would ever get done.

But the fun we would have! (I have this 66 Honda motor… )

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

lots of ways to fix that. all of them involve securing the spacing where the rear wheel goes before the bending starts. bolt a coaster brake without a wheel in there if you have one. or use threaded rod with 4 bolts and fat washers.

don't use a hammer, use a lever. I can't tell you how to fix it because I don't know what sort of equipment you have.

find an old guy who has built his own Hot Rod from a 30's or 40's car. they have all the cool tools

By far the most accurate advice given so far. This kind of advice comes from someone with "hands on" experience, not just keyboard experience.

Never use a hammer on anything made of tubing. This is a very easy repair, unless you make it difficult. Secure the frame by the bottom bracket into a secure fixture. This could be a very large vise, or an actual frame table like @Krakatoa pictured. In this case the frame table is being used just to support the bottom bracket. Start at the bottom bracket first then align the frame seat tube to be at a right angle to the bottom bracket. Second, align the front harp to be in alignment with the bottom bracket. Make sure the head is not twisted. Third "the easy part" align the rear stays. Last, set the rear fork end width, and use a fork end alignment gauge to align the fork ends to each other.

Minimum Tools required. a large vise "securely mounted". A long 2 by 4 for bending. A string run from the rear fork end over the head tube and back to the opposite fork end. This is used to measure the direction in which you need to bend the frame. Lastly the only actual bicycle tool needed is a pair of Park or Campagnolo fork end alignment tools.

The job could not take more than 30 minutes to align.

John