Replacing rusty chainstays - Framebuilding 101 with Paul Brodie

[@VMX42AUS]

Paul...you should section the old chainstays so we can see how much rust was inside. Loving the channel, cheers from DownUnder...👍👍👍

[@p51bombay]

It's a lucky man who gets his 30 year old frame repaired by the man (master) behind its design and construction. Amazing work and so entertaining.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you p51bombay.

[@rickfazzini22]

Nothing will stop Paul from making frames, not even a lawsuit :) thats the determination needed to be an awesome frame builder.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Rick. Yes I can be very determined.

[@meldert]

Oh! That shark fin chainstay protector brings back memories…

[@bruceh5933]

Paul and Mitch, I absolutely love these videos. They give me a great relaxing timeout in an otherwise chaotic seeming life, and get to learn a bit too. Enjoy the coffee!

[@mitchellnurseproductions]

Thanks Bruce! ☕️

[@paulbrodie]

Bruce, thank you so much :)

[@davidburgess741]

I still have my Dave Moulton bought face to face in '78. Restored 2 years ago, it still serves well on sunny Sundays. He had far less machinery and fixtures back then.

[@yanimont]

Some are looking forward to the week end, I'm looking for a Paul Brodie Sunday video release.

[@WetCoaster]

Great video Paul. This black frame reminds me of the bike Bruce Spicer was riding back in the mid 90's when he was working for you. Mismatched Maguras and old XTR drive train and he would show us snot nosed teenagers over here on the island a thing or two. Great repair video.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Steve. Bruce Spicer actually worked for Cybersport, who was the Brodie distributor...

[@tonywong4457]

Hey Paul.. Read all the below comments and thought this info might help.. 🙂 Hope this info helps.. I was chatting with a member about steel frames and rust.. I gave him the info below and thought it might be of interest to others.. Below is a video made by Paul Brodie where he is replacing some frame tubes.. Although this won't help if you have real rusty or ever worse rusted out tubes.. If you use this product sooner than later hopefully you can help prevent the rust from getting worse.. The very best protection I have found for steel frames & forks (at least in my opinion) is this product Corrosion Block.. It just happens to be a Canadian product.. But it is sold in the USA and the UK and I'm sure other countries.. 🙂 I wrote this a while ago I started doing this a long time ago.. If you are tired of the rust in your steel air compressor tank ------> If you spray Corrosion Block (made by the same company just heavier duty version of ACF-50) in your air compressor tank.. When it's time to drain the tank the water in the tank will no longer be rust colored.. This would also apply to bicycle frames and forks made of steel.. 🙂 Spray lots in the drain - rotate around and around to coat the whole tank - drain the excess and use for other purposes like wiping your tools.. P.S. Both products are poisonous so don't do this if your air compressor is used to example: blow out the water lines in your rv or trailer or cottage..

[@dadstoygarage1878]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing! I have a turn of the century massy Harris leaf spring bike that needs this repair done.

[@bloibl916]

What a cool frame. I really enjoy the repair videos. Thanks for keeping on keeping on.

[@vpcogworks]

Thank you for yet another masterpiece of a video! It's amazing to see you work!

[@paulbrodie]

thank you so much!

[@MLFranklin]

Enjoyed the process. Nice work.

[@craigwillenborg1831]

Nice welds on the bridge fixture.

[@PithyBikes]

I learn something in every one of your videos!

[@paulbrodie]

Well, I have been making stuff for a lot of years and I am happy to share my knowledge. Thanks again for watching!

[@robertminato2706]

Just found your channel. You do fine work! I will be binge watching tonight.

[@paulbrodie]

Well, thank you Robert!

[@78JGK]

Some fantastic and interesting looking motorcycles in a lot of your videos, should do a episode on those one time!

[@paulbrodie]

I'm with you. Thanks for watching!

[@davehause8571]

Fascinating

[@Cmillzzzz]

I wish I had the skill/tools to do this! The chainstay on my 2010 Orange P7 snapped recently and it breaks my heart to see my trusty steed of over a decade just sat in the shed :(

[@paulbrodie]

We just made another video where I replaced the stays on a Ritchey P22. You might want to check that out too :)

[@Cmillzzzz]

@@paulbrodie I watched it straight after this one Mr Brodie, such a brilliant watch. Best of luck to you sir and thank you for uploading some brilliant content

[@paulbrodie]

@@Cmillzzzz Thank you very much!

[@erictaunton2183]

Paul I am really enjoying your videos you are master craftsmen keep up the great work.from Eric in edmonton

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks Eric.

[@benc8386]

Beautiful work and thank you for another video. I was starting to wonder if you owned an angle grinder!

[@marcocabral4838]

How cool to see the process. So you use TIG, braze and nickel silver all on one frame? Is there a reason for the nickel silver before the bronze?…I have a request for a future video, I’d love to see you replace a derailleur hanger on a frame. I have a frame that I love dearly but my hanger is very soft over many years of use and straightening. Thanks Paul.

[@paulbrodie]

I like nickel silver first because it's a smaller rod, easier to melt, and it flows into the joint very easily. Yes, I can use TIG, braze, nickel silver, AND silver solder all in one frame. Seems to work!

[@jeanrogelet379]

Hi both. Understood you were not drilling BB to chainstay holes anymore, but how do you do to let the hot air escape during dropouts brazing? A 1.5mm hole near dropouts in the stays? I literally catch every word of your videos BTW, so nice to share the small but significant details that make a difference! Congrats from France!

[@paulbrodie]

Jean, thanks for watching from France! When I'm preheating the tube / dropout, the air inside gets hot too, and is escaping as the parts come up to temperature. When I seal the tube with braze, and more heat is applied, it is possible there will be a little air pressure inside the tube, but in 37 years of doing this, there has never been a problem. I know some frame builders always want to have vent holes, and talk about sealed tubes rusting from the inside, but I have never seen that.

[@fulljackrackoboe]

Love these priceless videos! I've bought an old Rocky Mountain frame maybe 14 years ago, old new stock which is quite similar to this one. They didn't know which model was, I think it could be an old Blizzard, but not sure.

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you.

[@bornlevi]

Hi Paul, another excellent vid. I'm not sure if you take requests.I'm wondering if you do a video dedicated to joining the dropout to the seat and chain stays. Ive always found this tricky and there is a general lack of resources on this subject.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks for liking our videos. I would have to build another frame to show you what you are asking. I don't need another bike right now, I already have 14/15 I think... I am losing track and space is getting limited. I'm pretty sure I showed the dropout being fitted and brazed in the Romax Series. Have you checked there?

[@bornlevi]

@@paulbrodie Thanks Paul. Ill check it out.

[@OnePercent-ov8hi]

Beautiful yard where you made the grinding🙂

[@morneposthumus3408]

Why wasn't school this interesting?

[@paulbrodie]

You probably had some not-so-good teachers!

[@InterFace95]

Thank you for sharing you videos, I really apprecit watching them. One question came up for me: When do you go for tig welding and when for brazing?

[@paulbrodie]

I like Tig-tacking, it's fast and the heat zone is very small. On a frame, Tig or braze is just personal preference. Of course, Tig is faster!

[@InterFace95]

@@paulbrodie I thoght it may result in strenght differences. Thanks for the information.

[@syl_diy]

Hey Paul, what's the important difference between cutting fluid and lube?

[@paulbrodie]

Cutting oil helps the tool bit, or drill to remove metal. I don't believe it has lubricating properties. Engine oil, on the other hand, keeps things moving and working, and probably wouldn't be very good at helping tools to cut!

[@thousandsunny3103]

Respect!

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you.

[@thousandsunny3103]

@@paulbrodie You’re most welcome.

[@dgillies5420]

Thank you for a great video. Did you bend the chain stays into shape? I missed seeing that if you did?

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks for watching! No, chain stays are a specialty set of tubes and you buy them bent, tapered and ovalized. There are usually several bends to choose from. Not cheap.

[@milohiscox]

Hi Paul. When do you use nickel silver vs silver solder vs brass?? Thanks

[@paulbrodie]

Nickel silver when it has to be very strong. Like a brake boss. Silver solder is less heat so things like water bottle bosses, cable stops. I do not use brass.

[@mattouli]

I guess it depends how well they get treated? I have a couple of 1950’s Carlton frames and there’s no rust involved

[@jobkneppers]

Paul, I'm enjoying all your video's big time and in this one you mentioned you where not allowed to build bicycle frames... Where did that come from? Thank you for al your nice work! Best, Job

[@paulbrodie]

I'm not sure. I don't remember saying that. No one has ever stopped me from building bicycle frames. Thanks for liking our videos :)

[@jobkneppers]

@@paulbrodie It's why you came up with the "B" frame you mentioned. If it's sensitive content I understand. When people asked me questions I could not answer (NDA's etc.) I answered "sorry I didn't hear you" and repeated that several times until they understood there was nothing wrong with my hearing ;-). Best, Job

[@paulbrodie]

@@jobkneppers Ah I see. We were involved in a long and expensive lawsuit with a distributor, and that's why we came up with the "B" series so they couldn't tell how many frames we were making and selling. It's all documented in my book :)

[@aaron___6014]

I have a Serotta Colorado frameset with a few dents on the top and side of the top tube. The paint has cracked in one spot because of the dent. Is there anyway to minimize, or eliminate these dents?

[@paulbrodie]

Yes, we have a video showing how to remove dents!

[@matthewhoult5323]

Another wonderful video! Thank you! It looks like there may be a dent on the underside of the top tube close to the seat tube. Will you be replacing the top tube as well? Perhaps in a subsequent video? :)

[@paulbrodie]

Matthew, you have a very sharp eye! Yes, a new top tube has been installed.. We've already done the replacement downtube video, and the toptube replacement is so very similar, I don't think it will happen, sorry.

[@alexball5907]

I spotted that as well. Hard life would seem to be about right for this frame.

[@Codename-B]

Have you ever burned something out of distraction? That flame peak looks really long.

[@paulbrodie]

Even though I am very careful, the answer is yes. Last item was my black fleece jacket :(

[@teunluijbregts2533]

Thanks for this vid! 🙏👍 Question: when the outside rust is repaired on that seat tube, what happens to the inside to prevent that from rusting (or hasn’t that been rusting at all)? Reason I’m asking is I’ve used tectyle as a rust preventative but that would be useful before it starts - wondering what I can do when its already underway...

[@paulbrodie]

Yes there is some rust inside the seattube, how much I don't know. I think this bike is ending up in a collection, where it will live in a heated space, and get ridden only on nice days. So, there won't be moisture getting into the frame. I would spray a little oil down the seat tube, so what rust is there never spreads.

[@dgillies5420]

To remove rust from inside the tube soak it overnight in evaporust and maybe use a brush or toothbrush or something to get as much out as possible. Then you can use frame saver or boeshield T9 as a rust preventative to keep the rust from coming back! I think evapo rust also protects it but maybe not as well as boeshield.

[@heyimamaker]

The bike Dentist 😁

[@petetabor4974]

another joy filled 30 minutes.... (for us).... do you recall which number NS rods you prefer?

[@paulbrodie]

The number years ago was 773. Maybe that is still relevant? Our local welding suppliers all seem to understand 1/16" nickel silver rods. I do not need to give them a number.

[@slimdog72]

This is perfect. I often wonder about my 1993 Kona Hot. Its been stored inside its whole life. I have also sprayed WD-40 inside all the tubes a few times in its life. I would like to restore it someday. Would you happen to have any advise on how to check for rust and is there any internal cleaning method you know of? Great vids as usual.

[@paulbrodie]

Thanks. I have a friend in the high end audio business, and they have to run wires in tricky spots sometimes. They have a tool like a long thin pencil, but you can bend it somewhat, and it has a camera on the end, and I think there's an app so you can view on your phone. So, get one of these and if your frame has air-holes you can check the rust. I have never cleaned the inside of a frame except with compressed air.

[@dgillies5420]

Search borescope for a cheap inspection camera ... There are some okay ones in the 25 to $35 range...

[@jamesmedina2062]

Hi Paul. I enjoy your videos. It is daunting to see all of your amazing machinery knowing I have none. I do have loudspeakers and coffee though! ☕️ Quick question: I have a Boston IF road frame that had something caused a small crease on the lower seat stay and my friend filled it partially with TIG rod but I was told to fill it with silver braze. When do you decide to use silver 1200 braze material and when do do you TIG in there? I am guessing TIG introduces much more heat eh?

[@paulbrodie]

I would probably never fill a road frame crease with Tig. Makes no sense.

[@jamesmedina2062]

@@paulbrodie Yes you are right. I overthought it! I thought maybe for strength...One of the painters and now a builder of bikes up in Boston area said to fill with silver or just ride it. The width of dropouts opened up to 132.5 and when i tried to narrow them with a vise I got close to 100mm and then opened back up and those True Temper stays snapped back to where they were with only .1 improvement. Its been repainted and hopefully it will ride strong. I got it off a bike courier in Denver. He rides an All City bike and I just got a used IF steel fork on the way that I will extend with your expert techniques. Thanks Paul

[@paulbrodie]

@@jamesmedina2062 I'm glad that all got straightened out!

[@jamesmedina2062]

@@paulbrodie and EXTENDED! (steel steerer) 👍🤩

[@davorinrusevljan6440]

Great video! I guess chain stays were welded to the bottom bracket initially as well? In which situations you like to use nickel silver instead of bronze and why?

[@paulbrodie]

Chainstays are either welded or fillet brazed to the BB. For fillet brazing I like to run a small bead of nickel silver first... It's strong and it flows well.Then the bronze fillet. Make sense?

[@davorinrusevljan6440]

@@paulbrodie Thank you!

[@MTBFreeks]

I love this channel Paul are you interested in muiding me a custom eMTB frame?

[@paulbrodie]

Building? Sorry, I'm retired and this KZbin channel is keeping me quite busy. Thanks for watching!

[@jokerseriously514]

Can I share some of the videos I've made riding my brodie bigshots Paul? Brodie sponsored my event here in Edmonton years ago...

[@paulbrodie]

I'm not part of the Brodie company for over 2 decades now. I had no part in the design or manufacture of bikes like the Bigshot, sorry.

[@actulice]

Noticed the can of Axalta Imron 500s on the bench and wondered what it was...that's a $300 retail can of clearcoat right there! What's that good for?

[@paulbrodie]

Sharp eyes! Yes that's what I use as my clearcoat. It really is the best. Just clear coated the Romax frame, fork and stem. Time to build that bike soon...

[@davidburgess741]

Powder coat is really tough and cheap.

[@nicholasschultz951]

Save the shark fin!!

[@paulbrodie]

Saved!!

[@xpndblhero5170]

I can't tell you how many frames I've had go bad because of water or moisture in the frame.... I don't understand why frames don't have drain bolts, like a small 3mm set screw in the bottom bracket or seat tube and up on the underside of the down tube so you can undo the set screws then blow it out w/ air or just let it drip dry.

[@paulbrodie]

Even if frames had lots of drain holes (added manufacturing expense...) most people wouldn't use them.

[@xpndblhero5170]

@@paulbrodie - If I knew my MTB had drain screws and it would keep my lower frame from rusting, I'd sure as hell use them but I guess you're right... A lot of people wouldn't understand what they were unless they were really into the sport but I'm sure some MTB riders would love to have that.

[@janeblogs324]

Can you tell us the story on why you couldn't sell frames?

[@paulbrodie]

I did write a book with a lot of my stories. I have a few copies left. Actually 6 copies. Book is $30 plus postage. My email can be found under the video, somewhere in the description. Thanks.

[@janeblogs324]

@@paulbrodie I do like books but $30 is more than a month of dog food. I'll just keep clicking your videos for now

[@sarkisbenliyan1180]

Dear Mr. Brodie... I have a similar problem with a welded steel frame: pitting corrosion.. BUT WHY did it happen?? ( a Jeff Jones 2012 diamond). I cannot seem to find a suitable framebuilder who want to help me save my bike. Are welded frames that different to a brazed one? do you know anybody in Europe who is up to the task?

[@paulbrodie]

Chainstays rust out because moisture gets into the frame and cannot get out. I am 9000 miles from Europe, and do not know any builders. You will have more luck searching in the UK.

[@luckysarangpure8936]

How to bend chain stay

[@paulbrodie]

That's how we buy them: tapered, bent and ovalized. Pretty neat, eh?

[@amc_sounds]

"That's quite good" Is understated your middle name Paul? ;-)

[@paulbrodie]

No, but it is good to have a sense of humour! Thanks for watching :)

[@tednruth453]

It might be a B series frame..... but it's a class A job 🤓

[@paulbrodie]

Thank you Ted.

[@dgillies5420]

"Oh! The frame has 129mm spacing and needs 135mm I think I'll try pulling on both sides" "Oh with just one pull on each side and the alignment of this frame is perfect - beginners luck I guess!" - NOT ...

[@paulbrodie]

Sometimes I do get lucky, and this was one of those times.

[@Biohazed]

I finally found out why people keep posting comments with the words Minecraft, ASMR, PewDiePie, MrBeast, Pokemon card unboxing, and Call of Duty on my channel. Apparently it gives you a ridiculously unfair boost in the algorithm.

[@eduardosampoia5480]

Bareback tigging again. Very unprofessional my friend. Tig is notorious for skin burns. Other than that, nice work. It sets a bad example in my opinion.

[@paulbrodie]

You are correct. I am not setting a very good example in that regard. I do so little Tig now, for me it is not a huge concern. I think it also depends on the amperage used. When we were doing a lot of Tig welded frames, in the summer we only wore a T-shirt on top, no sleeves, no gloves, and no problem. But the amperage was probably no more than 50 amps on thin wall steel. Once the amperage goes up I would always wear sleeves.

[@eduardosampoia5480]

@@paulbrodie I got major burns once from welding at 30ish amps on light gauge stainless. I got a rash from just putting on half a dozen tacks with mig at low settings the other day...it's always tempting to bareback. Don't mind me though I have a tendency to troll.