frame repair welding aluminum 6013 T6

[Bruce J. Colbourn]

Suggestions?

Q. Where to look for frame weld/repair mechanic in NYC

My beloved 2001 Gary Fisher Solstice hybrid. It's 6012 T6 aluminum.

A one inch tear on one bottom tube. Three inches ahead of the wheel plate.

So who's good to weld and straighten/align this?

I'm pretty determined, I need a experienced and reliable shop.  HELP! 

  

[Mark Bulgier]

I’m pretty dumb about aluminum, but I would not be surprised to hear that this repair is near impossible to do RIGHT.  Or at best, very impractical.  After welding, the aluminum at the repair will probably be very weak, and the frame will need to be heat treated.  The requirements for that are demanding, and specific to the particular frame; for example I have heard that makers like Klein had to have special jigs that go into the oven with each frame, to maintain alignment through the heat-treat.  Their first attempts had things like top tubes sagging from their own weight if not fixtured, or rear triangles coming out at random widths that no hub will fit.

 

So, hopefully your frame is under warranty.  If so, they probably still won’t repair it, they’ll give you a new frame.

 

Hopefully someone with actual 6012 T6 aluminum frame repair experience and/or Fisher warranty experience will chime in here.  My musings aren’t worth squat.

 

Oh just found this in a 5-second web search, don’t know what year this document is from, they didn’t say.

Gary Fisher Bicycle Company warrants each new Gary Fisher frame, rigid fork, or original component part of the bicycle against defects in workmanship and materials:

For The Lifetime Of The Original Owner-

• The bicycle frame, except the fork

Original Owner probably means you have to show proof of purchase.

 

If “bottom tube” means chainstay, then maybe a sleeve repair can be done with epoxy, that won’t lose the original heat-treat.  It’ll be ugly but might be worth it if the frame has sentimental value.  A replacement frame might be cheaper/better though.

 

Good luck,

Mark

 

[Wissahickon Cyclery]

I was a Fisher dealer when that bicycle was sold.  The fine print on all their aluminum bicycles is that the lifetime expectancy of the frame is 5 years.  So now at 18 years old the odds of a warranty are slim to none.  I find it hard to believe anyone would bother trying to fix it also.  I am not sure what model you have but they were $500 complete bicycles then. That is roughly $0.08 of value/cost each day you owned your bicycle.  I think it owes you nothing.

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Drew Guldalian

D.B.A. Engin Cycles
Wissahickon Cyclery
7837 Germantown Ave Phila,PA 19118
www.wiss-cycles.com
www.engincycles.com

[Jon Norstog]

Bruce, I agree with what the others are saying.  If you really must have that exact bike, you can probably find one on Craigslist or Ebay right cheap.  Probably a Taiwan frame, and a bike that didn't get ridden much by most of its owners.

Good luck!

jn

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[David Parsons]

On Thursday, December 26, 2019 at 8:11:30 PM UTC-8, Bruce J. Colbourn wrote:

Suggestions?

Q. Where to look for frame weld/repair mechanic in NYC

My beloved 2001 Gary Fisher Solstice hybrid. It's 6012 T6 aluminum.

A one inch tear on one bottom tube. Three inches ahead of the wheel plate.

If by wheel plate you mean dropout that sounds like a good application for a carbon fiber patch; you might be able to find a bodyshop that does composite panel repairs and has some carbon fiber experience to do the repair, or if you're feeling ambitious you can do it yourself.

-david parsons

[Mark Stonich]

I do know a bit about welding aluminum, and agree with Mark. Most grades of Al get very soft after welding.

I think David's suggestion is your only hope. By "Patch" I assume he means wrapping several layers completely around the chainstay. 

[David Parsons]

On Saturday, December 28, 2019 at 10:46:24 AM UTC-8, Mark Stonich wrote:

I do know a bit about welding aluminum, and agree with Mark. Most grades of Al get very soft after welding.

I think David's suggestion is your only hope. By "Patch" I assume he means wrapping several layers completely around the chainstay.

Yes, the *entire* chainstay.  It's basically replacing the aluminum chainstay with a carbon fiber one, but leaving the aluminum in place like a really long internal lug.

-david parsons

[Bruce J. Colbourn]

Thank You all for helping me today.

I've found here a-lot of great news (to me). I am now following up on the epoxy carbon fiber sleeve.

Q. What finish would you (if any) ice this cake with? Body shop fill and paint, etc.?

Also, you've inspired my continued reading on: TIG wt. lots of heat sink clay. and HTS-2000 brazing rods.

I built bikes at Brand's in Wantagh NY. that's where a beautiful path to Jones Beach begins.

I lived three houses from it's entrance. I had that whole enormous ocean shore to myself dozens of times.

Very heavy scene!

I saw the 2001 G.F. Solstice (1st Year) and special ordered one, today it's still my most prized possession.

Take a look. For me it's just about as perfect a comfort/off road bike as I'd ever seen.

Happy New Year,  Ride safe Ride long. Thanks, Bruce Colbourn.

[Bruce J. Colbourn]

Oh one more question.

The bikes chainstay was stepped on, hence the tear.

If there's alignment service, as I expect, what's recommeded.

I don't see any but I do need the balance, ride quality restored   

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Thanks,

         Bruce Colbourn  

[David Parsons]

On Sunday, December 29, 2019 at 11:39:08 AM UTC-8, Bruce J. Colbourn wrote:

Thank You all for helping me today.

I've found here a-lot of great news (to me). I am now following up on the epoxy carbon fiber sleeve.

Q. What finish would you (if any) ice this cake with? Body shop fill and paint, etc.?

Paint a thin coat of epoxy over the sleeve after it's cured, then sand it smooth & clearcoat it.  Carbon fiber is really pretty when it's finished that way.

-david parsons