"mad MAX" (aka Yokel-Motion 1.0)

The hole in the seat lug was probably meant as a gas vent hole and was filled, because the toptube was attached lower than it should normally be.

Brazing around the rear end looks so tidy - well done on buying this back and giving it another lease of life. Looking forward to seeing the paint and giving the nature of the frame I think you've got all of our blessing to go lairy if you so wish.

A more rational explanation, but it seems quite large compared to other vents.

And lacks the romance of the mad-tweak option! :)

Thanks for that, I shall make further inquiries.

Ah Jambon! Max conniseur and lover of "dat ass": nice to have you on board.

Yes, lovely work on the wishbone.

Paint isn't firm yet, but I'm aiming for "classy understatement" with some special paint to add interest, rather than "Landshark": to show off the Max tubes, rather than distract from them...

But where should the cable had come from, since there are no signs of former stops on the top tube? Zip ties? Probably not...

But i'm totally sorry for ruining your dreams! :-)

Ha indeed, and Columbus Max appreciator too! I did instinctively think day-glow/splatter/fadez but your plan sounds just as good. Chuffed you've managed to track down your old frame, always love it when people do this.

No, like I said it's the most rational explanation.

And as I also noted, there is no evidence of cable guides.

But, I'll post some pics, the difference in size compared to the other vents, leaves it open to doubt.

Which I like: some things are best left unexplained...

I think AngusMcGyver could be onto something.

But with the unknown frame history who knows :)

As i understand things, a frame builder gets in blank tubes, then cuts and adds vent holes themselves. It could be the tube was first off the rack of tubes prepped for another frame/size build, and just used for a custom build, it's simple and logical, bit boring :)

Straight through aero conversion for rear brake is more sexy, but no guides on top tube.......... zip-ties, tape, home diy aero conversion.

It just gives the frame some nice mystery, only the frame builder knows, and maybe the first and second owners.
Looking forward to a lairy paint job next year :)

Like when pensioners marry their sweetheart from primary school. <3

His explanation makes the most sense: to what end such a difficult rear brake route?

TT? Aero considerations? Then what about the shifters and derailleur hanger: no cable has run under that BB and you'll have to work pretty hard to convince me that anyone would go to the effort of shaping band-on cable stops to fit Max tubes.

My money is that the frame was pinned before brazing to hold it in line, and this is the remnants of this. Just a guess.

If you can control the heat effectively, there is no reason that replacing a steerer is going to cause any problems. I've said it before, and will say it again, Winston is probably the most experienced frame builder in the UK, if he has done it, it's fine.

In regards to his email manner, bear in mind this was the man who told me he didn't have a mobile as they would never catch on. This was about 5 years ago. He's a great guy, very generous with his time and information, but a bit to the point. A bit like tester, just minus the acid wit!

Theory No2, I'm no frame builder but that's quite a long lug, could the hole have been a way of getting the brass in to the joint?

You should in theory be able to draw brass and silver long distances using capillary action, so would be quite unorthodox, but not a stupid idea at all.

My money is that the frame was pinned before brazing to hold it in line, and this is the remnants of this. Just a guess.

Like this...

Good to see this one again - glad you got it back, and looks great in the bare metal (but still too long for me!)

Looks really good, always suspected there was a quality frame under the layers of fairly agricultural paint it had before. Looking forward to seeing the paint job.

oh and dibs when it next comes up for sale :)

Any updates @Scilly.Suffolk?

Well I've changed my mind about paint twice so far. :)

I don't actually have it booked in yet anyway.

Will have to wait for work to pick up, so I doubt there will be much happening for a couple of months.

Glad to hear the project hasn't run out of steam, I was worried I won't lie. Tough when you're not sure of the builder, too much choice can be tricky eh. Any paint ideas worth mentioning?

Ha! I'm feeling the pressure.

To be clear I do know who's painting it, but haven't firmed up the date with @hoops yet.

I saw the frame @danstuff built, which he'd sprayed with Chromaflair paint. Totes rad and saved me much faffing over a design. But I've now decided that Chromaflair is a bit "Max Power" (no offence).

But in my paint research I came upon Spectraflair which is more [ahem] subtle and works well on curved surfaces, ie tubes. It's all about the Max tube shapes and the wishbone and I want something that shows these off.

However... I've since decided that SF would work better on my TT bike, due to all the carbon (Ventus, trispoke, disc): like this TVR.

Of course matching bikes is an option...

Plus, although with a single colour it's just as important to have a skilled painter, it seems a shame to waste hoops creative flair, so at the moment I'm leaning towards just sending him the frame and saying "surprise me".

I saw the frame @danstuff built, which he'd sprayed with Chromaflair paint. Totes rad and saved me much faffing over a design. But I've now decided that Chromaflair is a bit "Max Power" (no offence).

None taken. You're right. It is!

I don't have your swag, couldn't carry it off.

things get weird when people let me do whatever i want. Good weird tho. (i think!?)

Good weird tho. (i think!?)

Agreed!