[CR]Re: Titan frame

(Example: Framebuilders:Pino Morroni)

From: "Steve Neago" <questor@cinci.rr.com>
To: "Jay Sexton" <jvs@sonic.net>
References: <3F6A68C1.4060708@sonic.net>
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 23:01:11 -0400
cc: classicrendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
cc: classicrendezvous
Subject: [CR]Re: Titan frame

Hi Jay

Yes, heat annealing is required for any newly manufactured TI metal and repairs. The heat strengthens the metal and to leave it untreated can make the metal brittle. I use to work at GE Aircraft engines in Cincinnati and all TI parts had to be heat treated as part of the Safety and Quality Control process. It is likely that the TI tubing you used was already heat treated by the manufacturer.

I have also heard from several TI frame builders that annealing needed to be done when I obtained price quotes. Commercial grade pure TI like the Titan has to be re-annealed whenever a repair is performed.

It is my understanding that the Titans were NOT painted, it was more like a anodized (sp?) finish that was baked on at high heat. This finish is durable, but can be scratched. Some Titan owners have gently sanded their finish to lighten the darker color.

As far as the blueprints, I only had to look at Dale's CR manufacturer listing! Please note the bottom of the page at he following URL... http://www.classicrendezvous.com/USA/Teledyne_B-Guide_article_1.htm It had exactly the basic pic that I needed to trace out the dropout template!

I took Dale's jpg, digitized it, used Adobe Streamline to trace the curves, & cleaned up the image in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. I then tweaked the image size and cut a exact template on my sign cutting machine where I compared to the original and adjusted accordingly. I then reran Streamline to convert the image to a DXF format. I purchased a 4"x4" sheet of TI 6-4 where I took the DXF image and sheet metal to one our local vocational schools. They used a water cutting machine to mill out the part. I still have to round out some of the outside edges with a grinder and a file but I am good to go.

I am pleased at the results of my efforts this summer and have really learned from the experience on this project! Yes, it would have been less time consuming to just buy a complete a frame, but I am a sucker for a "deal". I will have a total of $200 total cost (frame, part, and repair) to get this frame roadworthy.

The CR sometimes has unexpected benefits (like these plans that I needed) which is why I still think it has the best news and info (and hidden blueprints) on the Net!

Regards, Steve Neago
Cincinnati, OH


----- Original Message -----
From: Jay Sexton
To: questor@cinci.rr.com
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2003 10:24 PM
Subject: Titan frame



> Hi Steve,
> I am curious as to your comment about Ti frames needing to be heat
> treated to anneal them after repairing or initial construction.
>
> I worked as a frame builder at Ibis Cycles and we never heat treated our
> Ti frames after welding. Or our stems. We found that: 1) It was very
> important to control the heat at the weld joint, and: 2) complete
> purging of the welded joint was critical. Of course we were using
> butted tubing that was much better than the old Ti technology that
> Teledyne used so it is possible that the Teledyne WILL need to be
> annealed. I just don't have enough experience to say for sure.
>
> Regarding the finish, I think that if you were to heat the Titan frame
> it would probably alter any finish it might have. Again, I don't have
> any direct experience with that frame, so keep that in mind. Just my 2
> cents.
>
> How were you able to score the OEM blueprints? I would be interested in
> seeing them, if you care to share. If not, that's cool too.
>
> Sincerely,
> Jay Sexton
> Sebastopol, CA