Old Puch frame - Cracked!

A friend of mine gave me an old Puch Mistral Somethingorother at the weekend. The frame is a much better fit for me, which is great, but it's in bad nick. Unfortunately, stripping it revealed a few problems. The frame tubing says it's 'Puch Original 2500 High-Tensile Steel Tubes', same for the fork blades.

The brace for the brake between left and right seat stays is cracked on the crank-side. That's pushed the right seat stay out about a centimeter. Then I noticed the right drop-out is cracked where it meets the right chain-stay and is out of alignment slightly. Once I bring the rear rear end into where it should be (i.e. the same width as the lock-nut distance), things are mostly in alignment.

My question is: can these cracks be welded? If so, where would I go to get this done?

Can it be repaired? Yes, steel frames can be easily repaired. Search here for frame repairs. Where you go depends on where you are.

But, it is worth it? The frame is clearly not a high end frame. Factor in the cost of a respray and you might be better off getting another frame.

I dropped the frame into a bike refurbishment (NGO) and the lad in there said he'll try fill-weld it - if he's happy with it, he'll charge me €30, if he's not, he'll let me have it for free.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Do they repair ally frames as well please?I need a new drop out supplied and fitted to my frame after twisting it when snagging on a discarded dust sheet-Or can someone tell me where to take my frame to get it done within the tube network please? Very Sorry if this is ruining your thread Potlatch but I can't post as a newbie and ask the forum myself until I've done 3 threads.This is a boll***s as I really need some help and I just can't ask in a straight forward manner by posting a new thread-SORRY again!!

Who made the frame? Your first job is to contact them and get their opinion on whether it can be fixed. If you can't get hold of them, take it to your local bike shop and get an opinion from someone with a clue. As I understand it, Alu frames can be repaired, but it's difficult and expensive compared to steel, especially when a part of the bike that comes under a lot of stress is involved.

It's the rear drop out on the side furthest from the kerb-If you're riding the right way up the street lol!!I've been it contact with Merlins who supplied it new in 2009 and been given the "bums rush" by them they only want to sell me a new bike or parts.I've been quoted £80 with no paint-just a new drop out fitted-but getting a replacement used rear derailluer via ebay have been told by the seller that this is way too much and they have had them done for 50% of this.As they are up north in Sheffield I thought that I would try and suss out a local repairer myself for a better price.The bike shop who quoted me would probably farm the job out anyhow so i'm trying to cut out their slice if possible.I need it done within a couple of weeks -so there is no great rush-as I can use my old boneshaker in the meantime.THANKS for any advice given!!