Removing braze-ons

best not too
as tommy said once they're gone they're gone forever
look up puppy killing

The frame's a pretty standard 70s Raleigh 531. I don't care about 'the future' - I want them gone. Anyone have experience of doing it? Can it be done cleanly enough to not show under a powder coat or should I take it to someone?

or you could pass up the bikes snobs and jump right in - it is, after all, up to you, and not the preservationists. (besides, they are called "braze on's" and not "fundamental elements" or "bicycle essence." and, ironically, they were brazed on after the build, which is doable once again, if one so desires, or even replaced by the chrome clippy things that snap around the whole tube.)

either way, the quickest way is with an angle grinder and some skill; safest is with a hacksaw. too steep an angle of attack and youll go into the frame, too shallow and youll be hand filing for hours. you could, of course, get ahold of the oxy-acetylene set up and braze-off your braze-on's, but that would also require skills, a load of tools, and result in entirely way to many pun opportunities.

raleigh 531
don't kill it

Carlitosway has a point. Especially if it's 'nothing special'.

Perhaps you could ask SuperTed at FGL to do it if you're nervous.

i have a frame that i want to setup as a geared bike. its a good frame, aende 531p. the problem is it only has a braze-on for a single gear shifter and i want to have derailleur both in the front and in the rear. didnt know that when i bought the bike online. i am thinking about filing away the single braze on and place exactly on top of it a double gear shifter with band so it wont show, so as far as looks go it wont be problem.is it feasible to do this myself without destroying the tubing.

you can get a single band on shifter boss that fits over the original shifter boss, can't find it now though. does your down tube have the raised bit underneath for the band to grip to?

Easiest and cheapest way to remove braze ons is to braze them off again. Get a small blowtorch (about £5) and wave it over the braze on, twisting it occasionally with a pair of pliers to see if it's coming loose yet. You might possibly need to use a file or some abrasive paper on the frame to get it completely smooth, but it's easier, faster, cheaper and much safer than using an angle grinder.

stevo that was the idea i had originally, but i couldnt find any info about it either, i asked at condor and the guy told me he hasnt known of any. are we sure they exist, that would be my favourite option. frink i have no experience with blowtorches and i would be worried about putting flame on the frame with my little experience, i was hoping on using a good file and a lot of patience. anyone that would be happy to help me out with the torch if he is conviced he can do a good job?

oh and the downtube doesnt have the bump for the shifter. didnt think that would be a big deal. is it really neccessary?

A file is fine, it just takes a while. Be careful that you don't get a flat spot (check the radius of the tube with your fingers as you go along) and use a fine file to finish - if it's too coarse you'll need to slap on some bodyfiller before you paint it otherwise you'll see the scratch marks, and that's extra work.

stevo that was the idea i had originally, but i couldnt find any info about it either, i asked at condor and the guy told me he hasnt known of any. are we sure they exist, that would be my favourite option. frink i have no experience with blowtorches and i would be worried about putting flame on the frame with my little experience, i was hoping on using a good file and a lot of patience. anyone that would be happy to help me out with the torch if he is conviced he can do a good job?

oh and the downtube doesnt have the bump for the shifter. didnt think that would be a big deal. is it really neccessary?

the bump helps stop the band from slipping and possibly scratching the paintwork. they do exist, i used to have one in my parts box but can't find one now

scratch that, found it, yours if you want it. I'm in camberwell.

cost = £3 or 2 x Red Stripe

http://www.lfgss.com/picture.php?albumid=135&pictureid=7406

the bolt goes under the downtube (holding it upside down) and the hole fits over the existing shifter boss

shit, massive pic. branded Huret

man that is amzazing. ill give a four-pack.
will pick up from you asap, i live in lewisham so it should be way too easy. the problem is i am going to cornwall this weekend so i will try and see if i can make it tomorrow, otherwise it will have to wait till the next weekend. hope that is ok with you. in the meantime i will get shifters for braze-on fromt the bay, or hilary (he was also having a look for me if he had any, so might get from him for wasting his time).
btw it will fit a 531 right?

my number is 07967374420 if you want to arrange for tomorrow

man that is amzazing. ill give a four-pack.
will pick up from you asap, i live in lewisham so it should be way too easy. the problem is i am going to cornwall this weekend so i will try and see if i can make it tomorrow, otherwise it will have to wait till the next weekend. hope that is ok with you. in the meantime i will get shifters for braze-on fromt the bay, or hilary (he was also having a look for me if he had any, so might get from him for wasting his time).
btw it will fit a 531 right?

I reckon it'll be grand. I'm busy this w/end, will contact you during the week

Braze-on, braze-off

work?

Did it fuck.

Not hot enough.

Did it fuck.

Not hot enough.

Need that oxy-acetylene stuff.

If you went into a garage when it wasn't busy, they'd do it for you for a couple of quid. It's literally only a minute's work.

Hello,

Sorry to bring this subject up again, I know its been done to death....

So I've got an old '78 Raleigh Grand Prix that I bought as a $40 frame. Built her up, rode her round Tasmania and broke her.
Brakes, spokes, tyres and wheels all died on the adventure.
With the tyre completely blowing out 25km from the airport as the sunset on the last day. It was a quality finish, sun setting, riding with 40kg's on the back, with a shredded tyre. Was honestly amazing and funny times.
Anyway, so I'm back in Melbourne and am following through the plan to turn it into a fixie. It's taken a while to get all the old parts I'm after, but pretty much there.
I want to remove the braze ons and rear centre pull brake hanger as I'll never get rid of her, but never ride out of the city again. Wasn't really right for the job. My local bike shop won't take them off without respraying her.
I like the old battered brown paint and won't be getting rid of it. Between a dremel and some fine paper I'll get them off and nice and smooth.
I'm just not sure what to coat the little circles of bare metal with afterwards?
Has anyone seen this done? Spray laquer masked off? brush on varnish? I reckon I can get it looking smooth but don't want the laquer to make it look like a home m=hack job.
Any Idea?
ta
Alex
ps just so you know, its bloody freezing in Melbourne, missing the English summer.

Hopefully theres a pic of her before the trip....part built

Has anyone tried removing with a hammer and chisel?