Jeff wrote
> > > Does anyone else but me think that bike's been repaired at the BB?
and I replied
> >I don't see it - where do you mean?
Jeff explains
> I was referring to the fillet at the BB joints. I suppose it
> could just be a color difference due to lack of corrosion on
> the filleted area (with brass, not steel underneath), but if
> so the effect is not evident on any of the frame's other joints.
There won't be any rust on the fillets anywhere of course, as brass doesn't
rust; so the difference will only be evident in places where the steel *has*
rusted near the fillet, which seems to be mostly in the BB area.
> I still think it looks like material as been added there. I've
> never personally seen any brazing material that color, but I'm
> still a relative brazing newbie and ain't seen 'em all.
Oh, you mean brazing *over* the plating? That would be very bad indeed but I'd bet good money that hasn't been done. I see nothing inconsistent with brass fillets, filed and sanded (nicely done, too), then plated, with subsequent rusting of the adjacent steel. I base my opinion on the many dozens (probably hundreds) of fillet brazed frames I built, and the larger number (thousands?) I've looked at up close over 20+ years as a framebuilder.
If it were my size I'd consider breaking the piggy bank - even though I'm not really a fan of Hellenic stays. The lack of close-ups of the derailleurs, shift lever, and right side of the right crank are a little troubling- maybe Grant would come up with some more pix, if someone seriously considering the bike asked nicely.
Mark Bulgier
Seattle, Wa. USA