I remember the Teledyne Titan frames from the 1975-76 era. They were really cool - the ultimate frame. Except for the price. I think a frame and fork went for $495.00 A complete Peugeot PX10 cost $300.00
The other thing I've heard is that all Teledyne Titan frames broke. None of them in the same place. There are a few still being ridden and some of them have been repaired multiple times (kinda scary).
I have no idea if the 6-4 alloy is compatible with the commercially pure titanium used in the Titan. Perhaps Barry Harvey would know. He was the consultant to Teledyne who helped with design of the bike. I have no idea where he is, unfortunately.
Good luck.
Paul Haussler Huntington Beach, CA 1988 Trek 2300 (not destined to be a classic, but it is fun to ride) 1992 Dave Moulton Fuso Luxe (always a classic) 1997 Santana Arriva (the ride of my life)
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 15:36:11 -0400 From: "Steve Neago" <questor@cinci.rr.com> To: <framebuilders@phred.org> Cc: classicrendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Subject: [CR]Rise of the Titan... TI Vintage frame question - heat annealing Message-ID: <000f01c37e1c$1db52260$cbb71b18@cinci.rr.com> Content-Type: text/plain;charset="Windows-1252" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Precedence: list Message: 3
Hello,
I am trying to resurrect a vintage 1975 Teledyne Titan that has a = cracked derailleur dropout. I have fabricated a replacement derailleur = dropout from TI 6-4 alloy that is an exact match for the original and = "beefed up" in thickness to discourage future cracking. Many thanks to = the local vocational school for TI milling the AutoCAD pattern that I = created from the OEM blueprints!
I know that after a TI frame is constructed or repaired, the frame has = to be annealed or "heat treated" to strengthen the metal and joints. My = questions are this:=20
1.) Does anyone know if Teledyne coated their frames a gray color = first and *then* annealed them? (This would save having to heat treat = once for the metal and then a second time to cure the paint at a lower = temp.)=20 2.) What temp is required to anneal TI 6-4 metal? I am wondering if = the existing coating currently on the frameset will be baked off in the = annealing process required to treat the metal... 3.) Is a special paint required to paint over 1975 commercial pure = TI metal?
This message has been posted to both the ClassicRendezvous and the = FrameBuilders forums.
Regards, Steve Neago
Cincinnati, OH