Alan bike frame lug to weld?

[gordon stephenson]

My brother-in-law has a nice light Alan bike frame that has a cracked lug (just under the seat where the crossbar fits into it.)From what he tells me the frames are alloy tubing bonded into the frame lugs at the seat post,head and bottom bracket etc,Has anybody an inkling if the lugs will be aluminium or magnesium or how could I tell. In view of the frame being bonded the heat may destroy the bonding anyway,Just after as much info as possible before deciding to have a go or give him it back untouched,
Thanks in advance ,
Gordon.

 

[Shox Dr]

They are still in business, would it not be worth a call to them, it might be covered under warranty.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Thanks Shox Dr, I think this frame is quite a few years old and will be well out of any warranty.I don't really want to attempt it,so wanting somebody to reply talking to me out of it,Without a repair the bike will not be ridable, but not good if the adhesive bonding will be affected be attempting to weld.

 

[Shox Dr]

You might be surprised on what a small bike builder will warranty. You have nothing to lose, if not they could more than likely repair it, then at least you know it's been done correctly

 

[hotrodder]

The term to google is 'alan bikes screwed and glued' The first hit is a vid to impress Shox with my internetz skillz. The 4th hit suggests Alan bikes won't be up for helping. I'm pretty sure the lugs are ally, i might be confusing them with Vitus but i think the tubes at least are 5083. Welding will almost certainly destroy the glue but what was high tech back then is probably old hat in the world of glues today... wouldn't be surprised if Loctite have a capillary action threadlocker that'll do the job

 

[gordon stephenson]

Thanks Hotrodder, Brother in law has just got the frame this morning,It still has the remnants of a seat tube seized solid in the down tube.I think the previous owner has given it more welly than was good for it trying to get it out and caused the crack.If he still wants it repairing I will give it a go,

 

[Shox Dr]

So there is a lifetime warranty, but only as long as he (Alan Bikes) can be bothered to honour it

 

[pedrobedro]

If someone has cracked it with a wrong size or seized seat post I think the warranty would be void anyway. They only normally guarantee against fair wear and tear.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Just an update chaps, Brother-in -law took it to a fab shop in Middlesbrough,Been recommended as having the best ally tig welder in the business,They charged him £20-00 for doing the cracked lug 30mm in length.Down side is,they managed to melt the edge of the lug away and even ground the weld below flush,catching the crossbar in the process,Brother-in-law dressed and polished it but it looks a mess,certainly not the near invisible repair he was after,

 

[chunkolini]

Sounds as though you have a funky shopping bike after that.
I would not take on a serious mission after that kind of thing on a classy ally frame.
Keep it real go for steel.
Chunko'.

 

[the snooper]

fab shop in Middlesbrough,Been recommended as having the best ally tig welder in the business Down side is,they managed to melt the edge of the lug away and even ground the weld below flush,catching the crossbar in the process, it looks a mess,certainly not the near invisible repair he was after,

was that his own opinion or that of his family , any decent guy would have put his mistake right

 

[chunkolini]

'Would have put his mistake right'
isn't this a one shot job?.
Does not impress though

 

[Shox Dr]

And got charged 20quid for the privilege.

Bad form.