TITANIUM ATTEMPT

Post Weld Frame Alignment Check

1 March 2008,  By James Morikawa

I ended up with the front triangle out of alignment.   Due to welding distortions,  the head tube has  pulled about 10mm off center    I need to correct this, and get the frame back into alignment.
Below is brief summary of the Alignment Check.

SIMPLE TOOLS

Inexpensive tools that can be purchased, or fabricated, and used throughout the build process

CHAINSTAY, AND SEATSTAY ALIGNMENTS

                                                                         
                                                                                            (1)                                                                                                    (2) 

                             Picture 1:   Checking the seat-stay alignment.  It's still in alignment.   I'm using is a T shape alignment  tool,  purchased from Nova Cycles.
                             Picture 2:   Checking the chain-stay alingment.  It's still in alignment

REAR-AXLE TO SEAT-TUBE ALIGNMENT

                                                                           
                                                                                                (3)                                                                                                   (4)

Picture 3:  Checking the rear-axle to seat-tube center alignment.  . One side of the seat-tube is reference checked,  and then . . .
Picture 4:  The tool is flip over,  and the other side of the seat-tube is check.  

                 The the rear-triangle has remained in alignment after welding on the front triangle.   

REAR-AXLE TO HEAD-TUBE CENTER ALIGNMENT

Before I continue on with this check,  the rear triangle has to be in alignment.

                                                                                         
                                                                                                    (5)                                                                                                  (6)

Picture 5:  Checking for rear-axle to head-tube center alignment.  
Picture 6:  Flipping the tool over to reference the opposite side of the head-tube.  Anyway,  the result is that the front triangle is not in alignment.  The
                head tube has pull about 10mm to the left of center;  as viewed from the rear of the frame   I'm going to have to correct this.  If I don't,  the
                bike/frame will ride with a front/rear wheel  tracking misalignment.   10mm is too much to ignore.

Well,  I get to do a lot of cold set alignment on my first Ti-frame.  I don't really mind at this point.  It's giving me hands on experience.  Getting
familiar with the characteristics of Titanium.

Thanks for reading,  have a blessed day.

Return To Website Content

Website Information:   www.modikoso.com