Odd hole drilled in frame? What to do?

[partsguy]

I got this loaded 70’s Concord Freedom Deluxe tall frame from the original owner’s daughter. The original owner has passed. I noticed a very odd pair of offset holes drilled above the rear brake caliper. The rear brake caliper was nowhere to be found. I suspect the previous owner removed the caliper and began adding something but for whatever reason it never came to fruition. I have a lead on all the parts I need to fix this up and flip it.

Has anyone else seen this on a vintage road bike? Would this have been from a rear carrier or pair of generator lights? Those accessories don’t typically involve drilling. Maybe the dude was simply not mechanically inclined? Big question, would you even sell this bike? It’s otherwise loaded and in solid condition.

 

[WillWork4Parts]

I'd say best guess is that you're right about the carrier being mounted there. As I'm not sure I've seen a carrier made to bolt on at the seatpost clamp for tall frames and I think a lot of accessory racks were made to fit frame lugs with M5 screws/bolts.

 

[WillWork4Parts]

I'd find someone to weld the holes closed, dress the welds, and blend some black(at least the bike looks black from here) paint back over it.

 

[partsguy]

Good idea.

 

[SirMike1983]

Yes - perhaps it was a bolt-through rear rack that was originally intended to use the seat post clamp bolt as a securing bolt (pass-through mount), but because this frame was so tall, it didn't reach and they drilled the hole to secure the pass-through mounting for the rack.

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Looks like a modern rack, that was designed for brazed-on frame lugs, was adapted to the frame by just drilling 2 holes.

 

[49autocycledeluxe]

one is an inch higher than the other,,, must have been some strange looking rack.
I'd transfer the parts to a frame without holes in it.

 

[Rusty Klunker]

I have a 65 fleet that someone drilled about a 3/8 hole in the back up high on the seat mast.
The bikes well used missing the tank but the screen on the guard looks good.
Wondering if I should weld it up or not.

 

[JBone]

You need to buy a cigar for a talented friend with a tig machine and roll lock grinder, no problem...

 

[Jesper]

Very odd large holes indeed. Looks like the right side one may have had something screwed into it by the looks. You could use body filler and sand/paint for a little more of a DIY effort, but I would agree with others about getting it welded (I do not smoke, but a couple of Sierra Nevada porters would cover my bill).
I was going to say that I have a head badge I would contribute, but I see it retained its original one.