The Elgin Bruin! ***Fender Update June 16th***

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Danimal

Danimal

Joined
Dec 7, 2007
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Edit: I cannot in good conscience continue to build a "Blackhawk" while supporting my beloved Boston Bruins. Suck it Chicago. Lol. Go Bruins!!!

So I guess I'll do this. I picked up my Blackhawk at this years Monson show. It's a mess. Kinda unsure I what I want to do with it but it's not nice enough to restore properly. So it's gonna get the RRB treatment.

 
Re: Blackhawk for the Build-Off

Great looking bike!
Glad to see you in the show!
Good luck.
 
Re: Blackhawk for the Build-Off

Has nice lines but the frame has serious issues. Repairs already in progress but pics not online yet.
 
Re: Blackhawk for the Build-Off

cool bike can't wait to see some detail pics of the frame. don't think I've seen one of them before.

Troy
 
Re: Blackhawk for the Build-Off

Let's pick this up. I pulled the bike apart and snadblasted a bit on the top tubes as they appeared to have issues. Not a good thing. Rust holes, a large bulge (from frozen water?), dings, etc. This is what I have...














 
Re: Blackhawk for the Build-Off **See the Damage!**

That looks like the belly of snake with a RAT inside of it.
I am sure you will be able to release it's inner RAT!!
 
Re: Blackhawk for the Build-Off **See the Damage!**

Yep, pretty bad. Just right for a good bike, but I wouldn't take it off any sweet ramps.
 
Re: Blackhawk for the Build-Off **See the Damage!**

I've never seen a water bulge in a frame tube! Steer tubes, yes.

There are a couple points on these oddball Elgin frames that typically have busted welds. How is the base of the seat tube at the bottom bracket and the top of the seat tube at the stays?
 
Re: Blackhawk for the Build-Off **See the Damage!**

Jpromo said:
I've never seen a water bulge in a frame tube! Steer tubes, yes.

There are a couple points on these oddball Elgin frames that typically have busted welds. How is the base of the seat tube at the bottom bracket and the top of the seat tube at the stays?
Click to expand...


I agree it is a weird place for a water bulge, but that is what it looks like. Only other issue I see on the frame is a spot where the top tubes meet the head tube. Looks like it never got braze in one small spot.
 
Re: Blackhawk for the Build-Off **See the Damage!**

The Repair:

First, get a piece of iron pipe from the hardware store and put in a vise. Mark and start cutting down the tube.





With a few cuts lenghtwise, I cut them off and ended up with 3 "arcs" of iron. Take one and hold up to the frame where the bulge is. Trim with grinder so it was roughly the same shape as the bike tube. The chunk ended up being slightly triangular if you know what I mean. Make a second piece to match the other side of the same tube and clamp them together with the frame in the vise. Then crank on it!








I wish I had taken more photos of the process, but as you can see, it worked perfect! The bulge disappeared! Repeat process for the other side of the tube. I was thrilled by the results!















Off to the sand blast cab again and clean it all up. This is the next challenge. Holes and dings.








 
Re: Blackhawk for the Build-Off **Frame Bulge Repair 5/25**

Nice job dude.
 
Re: Blackhawk for the Build-Off **Frame Bulge Repair 5/25**

Cool tip! easy fix for a hard problem thank you

Troy
 
Re: Blackhawk for the Build-Off **Frame Bulge Repair 5/25**

Next update: frame repair part 2: braze.

20130402_172509_647_zps5d6aa3e9.jpg



20130402_172527_464_zpsd6b85ef9.jpg



20130402_172537_393_zps93cec658.jpg



20130402_172604_357_zps14699290.jpg



20130402_172625_356_zps53c2a03d.jpg



A little grinding and filing.

20130404_170106_875_zpse9f957bd.jpg



20130404_170151_688_zps7725f57b.jpg



More sandblasting, a little body filler, and some sanding. This is about all I can do with the body work.

20130506_215544_514_zpsf8bfe376.jpg
 
Re: Blackhawk for the Build-Off **Update 5/31 Brazing!***

Wow! Nice work!
I love how beefy those top bars are.
 

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