Hi Paul,
Yes, it is recommended that the Teledyne "suicide fork" be replaced with a good steel fork, even though many still ride on it. I have a nice looking sloping crown fork ready for this Titan frameset.
Yes TI 6-4 alloy and commercial pure TI can be welded together under a very high temp torch.
Does anyone know how I can reach Barry Harvey who worked at Teledyne?
Regards, Steve Neago
<classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2003 8:34 PM Subject: Teledyne Titan
> 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
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> 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