Principia RSL - Fallen at first hurdle!

So, I took a punt on an RSL on ebay from a guy who didn't have a clue about it. It was £80, so I thought why not? I had great ideas of getting it re-anodised and fitting with modern-ish record etc as they are ridiculously light and well-built frames, and I just like the way they look.

Anyway, went to pick it up today and was pleasantly surprised at the condition of the wheels etc, and the carbon cranks were and unexpected bonus. However, I noticed almost immediately that the rear mech hanger is buggered.

Am I right in thinking this is a pretty much fatal issue on an aluminium frame, especially a high end one such as this? (think they used special alu or something but could be wrong). I guess worst case, it could be made into some kind of single-speed affair.

Thoughts?

http://i.imgur.com/XgYlViE.jpg

Looks pretty fucked. I'd send photos to a frame builder who works with Alu and see what they say.

On thing you might be able to do is have the dropout shapped to accommodate a removable hanger.

shape dropout and get a wheelsmfg hanger?

Is it cracked as well as bent?

If you hadn't already bought it I'd have said walk away and find another (I've seen a few go mega cheap on ebay) but as it sounds like the bike is now yours, fitting a replaceable hanger is probably the only way to save it.

I'd look for one with basic interfaces with the frame to make it aseasy as possible to reshape the frame to accept it, something like this,

You could probably make that fit with basic handtools.

Infact, that one fits inside the frame so may avoid you needing to flatten that profile on the outside which would be good.

Thanks, I'm sending some pics to various builders just to see what the options are/if it's even worth it from a financial point of view.

The hanger is actually cracked as well as bent. If a frame builder says it's going to be costly/a hassle, then I'll look into the replaceable hanger solution/bodge. My dad's a retired engineer with lathes and all kind stuff in his man shed, so sure he could sort something. I spoke to him on the phone, and he actually suggested a similar plan without him having a clue about bikes or what a mech hanger was.

On a positive note, the 600 group, wheelset and forks have cleaned up really nicely, so I guess I've not really lost out financially as they will more than cover the £80.