I need a Bike Doctor...

If anything dissolves araldite it will probably dissolve the resins bonding the carbon fibre.
I doubt it is worth the risk. What lug has failed this time? The one you just repaired?
It is possible to inject epoxy under pressure into joints. I haven't done it myself, but I have seen the results of it being done (not on a bike frame though)

With enough force I can get the tube to slide up, but not far enough. Any more force I'll probably end up damaging something. Only thing I can think of is some clamp/vice to keep it seperated while I apply the resin around the lug. Thought this will most unlikely to work. Need to proper get up there in the tube.

It's the one on the right.

I used ratchet straps to pull my frame open.

What you want is a frame-builder versed in carbone / alu frames (unlikely there even are any?), or a company that plays with composites and epoxies all day long, something like a caravan mftr, plastic car body work co, loads more other places that I can't think of now that would probably have some clue.

What it sounds like, is it went back together, now another (seat tube?) has failed in another place, and the only way to get the whole lot back in place is to strip down the front triangle and re-insert the tubes in the right order, your very unlikely to get them back in any other way :(

Ratchet Clamps. Can you explain how you did it?

BrickMan, aye. Please let me know if you think of any places. I'm gonna give it another go at trying to shock the resin to crack.

Thank you all.

Sent an email to vernonbarkercycles, responded saying that if the current methods don't work, then the only option is heat. Which will destroy the paintwork around it. No idea who would be able to do that? Any ideas? I don't mind, although the paint is still original from early 80's.

Don't heat it, you will destroy more than the paint (the epoxy in the tubes for example)
Somehow you need to apply some pressure to the frame to get the tube to move away from the lug
You can apply a lot of force to the tubes if you are bending them, so the ratchet strap method will pull the tubes apart, and expose some of the lug so you can get some epoxy in there.
The way to do it is to get two straps and two fixed posts the right distance apart that the straps can loop around and around the right part of the frame. Tightening the straps will try to pull the frame apart.
I wouldn't try to shock the epoxy you recently applied, the bond will be too strong, and the glue won't be brittle. It won't crack!
I would happily give this a go if you can get it to Reading!

Adroit, thank you very much for the offer. I am hoping if someone else based in London could do it. Just had a look at tickets, it's about £30.00 return. If anything I'll come running to you at some point. =)

Much appreciated, thanks.

M

Managed to get the frame apart from the lugs using a carjack pretty much. I don't want to attempt to apply more resin to it just yet since the last time failed.

I'm wondering if anyone in London (or close) has any experience in dealing with these types of frames? I have Bondloc resin (and little Araldite left), anyone willing to give it a go for me?

id be interesed in seeing pictures of the frame apart

3M DP420. You need high peel strength.

I would sand the lugs to get rid of oxidised metal, an then clean with ethanol.

hashtag, http://martinjknight.com/documents/public_images/frame_omg.jpg

rodabod, I'll check out that DP420. I didn't use Ethanol or what I also read is Denature Alcohol. I'll have to try that. Thanks. [I][/I]

Just seen this. Looks promising.

DP-420 3M EPOXY overlap shear test by Doctorbass PART 1 - YouTube

Has anyone got any of DP420? Everywhere I look, I can only buy in Qty's of 12...

I've got some. I posted that earlier.

Mind if I snag it? What do you want for it?

I'm about to buy a 1985 Bertin Vitus 979 for my girlfriend for her daily London commute. Is this a bad idea? I don't want to send her out on a death trap!

Much less likely to break with a smaller frame size, and also if she doesn't mash the he'll out if it.

Hi
Reviving this thread for advice
I have a Vitus 992 (at last!) - it came with a Sachs group but I want to set it up with a 105 group with down tube shifters
But the lugs seem to be glued on so won't accomodate the 105 shifters.
Any suggestions how these could work together or should I just stay with the Sachs...

105 shifters as I have a pair of (really nice) Cosmic wheels with Shimano 8 speed cassette ...

pic of down tube

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shifter I wish to add but the spacer is designed to fit the curved tube, not add to an existing bracket

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Won't the shifter fit directly on the the frame bosses (omitting the spacer)?

It fits on but does not hold, the spacer has a tongue that locks the shifter and there is also a recess in the spacer that is not on the glued on lug.
I've decided to try simplex retrofriction but only one of the pair I have maintains the cable tension ...

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spacer with 'tongue' that holds the shifter

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Any reason you can’t just file/machine off the bit of the spacer that’s profiled to fit the curve of the downtube? All you need is for the square recess on the spacer to fit onto the square section of the shifter boss isn’t it? I’ve probably got a couple of spare spacers if you want to try without destroying one of yours.