Fixing top tubes

i've just purchased an amazing new frame.

Unfortunately the frame builder committed the ultimate sin of drilling the top tube for 'through the frame brake cabling' not once, but twice. To make matters worse he also dented grooves to the side of the holes so that the cables were flush with the frame.

In the mean time i intend to wrap these holes with pvc tape or similar, but Malibu Stacey deserves better than this, she knows it and so do I. She needs to be repaired.

SOOOOOOOOOO...... please recommend me someone who can do this.

(i may post pics of her 'wounds' later)

too much hassle, just leave it. will have to fill, file and repaint. easier to sell frame and get one with-out.

NO WAY

who can fix it witcomb? bob jackson? how much we talking?

fill, file and repaint is not so bad, i thought i would have to replace the whole top tube which would be difficult as it is a unique shape

filler + emery tape + time + full respray. Or what dogs says.

how good quality you want. cheap and nasty vz could do £80, but other places properly £150.

so new frame or don't bother

i'll save up the £150 - any recommendations?

search for the 100's of paint threads ;)

I would get a compotent frame builder to replace the tob-tube so you're best bet is Witcomb. But Argos, Roberts, Yates etc are all possibilities but involve sending the frame.

Prices really depend on what the frame is, what kind of tubing you require, the construction technique the frame is made with etc. Basically I'd just get on the phone and start asking around.

Plus you're going to have factor in paint+new decals. I look around for either decent replacement decals or some custom made decals to make the frame really stand out.

For example heres Argos's price list:
http://www.argoscycles.co.uk/renovation-pricelist.htm

There was a disccution on a framebuilers list about how much more skill it take to replace tubes / restore a frame than it does to build a frame, so don't cheap out on it if you go down the replacemnt tube frount.

Looking at their gallery check out the size of these two bikes!

i was doin the same thing

cheers guys, i think i'll try and fill, file and paint rather than replace the whole tube as it's a little bit err non standard ; )

paint looks mint, just leave it. it's a curly hetchins cross GT offspring?

may sound stupid, but rather than filling, sanding, repainting, couldn't you get one of those kashimax top tube protectors and just cover it over that way, not sure about what to do about the rear hole though...

With a frame like that, I'd leave the holes in place. No way should you be messing with it. Who knows, maybe you'll want to run a cable through there some day, for a brake or perhaps a rear-mounted sound system.

I love that Frame! Its a fantastic piece of steel work and yes, as everyone else is saying don't do anything to it. Find a sympathetic way of plugging the holes and then ride the bejesus out of it.

Its far too nice to mess around with.

Strawberry looks like a good match :)

Are the forks round the correct way?

She's got Luuuvly legs.

Maybe go for a double-kashimax-athon.

111111111111111111111111111111111

Just fill in the holes and paint over. Even with a "standard" top top, to replace it is a major job, it's going to cost hundreds+new paint. That's a werid frame though, a sort of Hetchins Bates lo-pro cross breed, that rear triangle setup's been around long before GT "invented" it.

"Hellenic stays cross the seat tube and anchor under the top tube. The name comes from Fred Hellens, who developed the design in 1923."
http://www.hetchins.org/403.htm

But GT called 'em "triple triangle" and that's what counts! ;)

so it is a hetchins?

^no mate. Thanks for everyones help, i am going to heed your advice for now and just cover the holes but i will get them filled at some point.

she's nearly built now, just waiting to borrow thebricks bb tool (cheers mate). couple of issues though, i have the shimano 600 stem with the hidden bolts and the plastic cap - cant seem to get it tight enough, any ideas?

also got a lovely light rolls saddle, anyone know what i can put on it to protect it from denim transfer? as a reformed sneaker head i should know this