The Carolina Rambler
Finally riding a big boys bike
Hello everybody! Hope you are all doing well. After taking a break from working on bikes, I have gotten back to work, and am making headway on the restoration of my 1917 Montgomery Ward Deluxe Flyer. Unfortunately, I have a bit of a frame issue I am dealing with right now. As you can see, there are some rust out issues in the lower sections of the downstays on the frame, and there is even evidence of water getting down in there over the years and freezing, which rusted and cracked, causing holes. This frame sat out, presumably in the woods, for decades. I sanded down the holes, and pressed into the really weak metal to get into stronger metal. So then, I took it to the best welder I know of in town, and he is under the impression that in the sections where the rust out is, the steel is too thin to weld effectively, and would burn out if that was attempted as it is now. And that even if he could weld it, it would likely not improve or restore the strength of the frame in that section, and I agree with and understand what he is saying.
With that in mind, what do yall think about some methods of repairing this problem. The frame is good and sturdy other than in that area, and is still just as thick and strong a steel as ever. I have some ideas myself as to how to go about properly repairing this, but I don't want to say them just yet, so I don't bias anyone's ideas, and want to know what yall think. Even with the holes it feels pretty sturdy. The goal is for this bike to safely {relatively speaking given it's a 100 year old bike} accommodate a 200 pound rider, which is 50 pounds more than I weigh, and is likely what this bike was originally designed for. Thank you for reading, and have a nice evening!
With that in mind, what do yall think about some methods of repairing this problem. The frame is good and sturdy other than in that area, and is still just as thick and strong a steel as ever. I have some ideas myself as to how to go about properly repairing this, but I don't want to say them just yet, so I don't bias anyone's ideas, and want to know what yall think. Even with the holes it feels pretty sturdy. The goal is for this bike to safely {relatively speaking given it's a 100 year old bike} accommodate a 200 pound rider, which is 50 pounds more than I weigh, and is likely what this bike was originally designed for. Thank you for reading, and have a nice evening!