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I'd be inclined to follow the advice of a highly-regarded and well-respected frame builder, who has inspected it at first-hand.
But I'm old and averse to risk.
Scilly.Suffolk-
I'm also in agreement with Winston. He left it quite open though and didn't seem too concerned.
If the crack does get worse and I still want to ride it then yes I'll certainly get the tube replaced, mainly debating whether it'll look awful if I don't get the whole thing repainted, could maybe just ask his brother to clear coat (if that's possible) the raw tube while I decide.
MCamb
Been riding my beaten up Lejeune as a commuter steed, and a small crack on the top tube has caught my eye.. Didn't look great and since I've seen it I can swear I hear a grinding sound going up hills or really cranking it... Definitely just being paranoid though.
I took it round to Winston Vaz who agrees it's certainly suspect. He's offered to replace the top tube in the same tubing (653 o.s) for a good price.
Debating whether it's worth it, and if I did get it done should I have the whole thing repainted? Or just varnish over the repair.
On a side note getting the top tube replaced will also fix a big dent, which isn't worth fixing on its own.
Anyway, not sure what to do. Any opinions? May just leave it and see if it propogates further round the tube.