I have an 80's ALAN frame with a crack in the lug attaching the head-tube to the top-tube. The crack isn't visible without a headset installed, but with one, it's about 1/2 inch long, vertical along the front of the lug. For now, it's not a big deal as I'm just using it as a piece of wall art, but if I ever decided I wanted to build it up, about how much should it cost to repair? I guess there are two likely possibilites: 1. Lug needs to be replaced and 2. Lug just needs welding. Just ballpark guesses would be great. Thanks.
-alan
-- Alan Hoyle - [email hidden] - http://www.alanhoyle.com/ "I don't want the world, I just want your half." -TMBG Get Horizontal, Play Ultimate.
I have an 80's ALAN frame with a crack in the lug attaching the head-tube to the top-tube. The crack isn't visible without a headset installed, but with one, it's about 1/2 inch long, vertical along the front of the lug. For now, it's not a big deal as I'm just using it as a piece of wall art, but if I ever decided I wanted to build it up, about how much should it cost to repair? I guess there are two likely possibilites: 1. Lug needs to be replaced and 2. Lug just needs welding. Just ballpark guesses would be great. Thanks.
I have an 80's ALAN frame with a crack in the lug attaching the head-tube to the top-tube. The crack isn't visible without a headset installed, but with one, it's about 1/2 inch long, vertical along the front of the lug. For now, it's not a big deal as I'm just using it as a piece of wall art, but if I ever decided I wanted to build it up, about how much should it cost to repair? I guess there are two likely possibilites: 1. Lug needs to be replaced and 2. Lug just needs welding. Just ballpark guesses would be great. Thanks.
If the crack in the lug spreads with a headset installed, it's at least 90% likely that the head tube is also split. Repair, in that case, should be in the form of replacment of the head tube and lug in my opinion. I doubt that the frame is worth the effort and expense. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.
I have an 80's ALAN frame with a crack in the lug attaching the head-tube to the top-tube. The crack isn't visible without a headset installed, but with one, it's about 1/2 inch long, vertical along the front of the lug. For now, it's not a big deal as I'm just using it as a piece of wall art, but if I ever decided I wanted to build it up, about how much should it cost to repair? I guess there are two likely possibilites: 1. Lug needs to be replaced and 2. Lug just needs welding. Just ballpark guesses would be great. Thanks.
-alan
Just for clarification- this is a bonded aluminum ALAN frame, similar to the Vitus frames of the same era?
I have an 80's ALAN frame with a crack in the lug attaching the head-tube to the top-tube. The crack isn't visible without a headset installed, but with one, it's about 1/2 inch long, vertical along the front of the lug. For now, it's not a big deal as I'm just using it as a piece of wall art, but if I ever decided I wanted to build it up, about how much should it cost to repair? I guess there are two likely possibilites: 1. Lug needs to be replaced and 2. Lug just needs welding. Just ballpark guesses would be great. Thanks.
-alan
wall art. to repair the crack reliably, you'd have to grind it all out, fill with new metal using tig, heat treat, re-finish, etc. just not economic. unless you have a new lug laying about the place somewhere.
all in all, not worth repairing but it's /great/ wall art. consider it honorable retirement.
I have an 80's ALAN frame with a crack in the lug attaching the head-tube to the top-tube. The crack isn't visible without a headset installed, but with one, it's about 1/2 inch long, vertical along the front of the lug. For now, it's not a big deal as I'm just using it as a piece of wall art, but if I ever decided I wanted to build it up, about how much should it cost to repair? I guess there are two likely possibilites: 1. Lug needs to be replaced and 2. Lug just needs welding. Just ballpark guesses would be great. Thanks.
Thanks for all the responses. I bought the frame on the cheap with the expectation that it would hang nicely in my living room, and based on your feedback, I won't even think about doing anything else. The repair costs quoted were WAY higher than I spent on the entire frame in the first place....
Give a call to mel pinto imports. They imported the frameset into the USA and they can recommend an experienced repair shop. I think that ALAN can still repair these - they still made these frames as late as 2002, although the cool engravings were gone by then ...
