[CR]Was: Masi progress; now, mis-shaped seat post hole....

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From: <OROBOYZ@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 9 May 2004 09:43:30 EDT
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Was: Masi progress; now, mis-shaped seat post hole....

In a message dated 5/8/2004 10:39:16 PM Eastern Daylight Time, BobHoveyGa@aol.com writes:

<< the seat tube opening from front to back is WAY too small to accept a properly circular post ..whether to insert a wide screwdriver in the slot and lever it gently, or to use an 8mm punch ....... in the bolt hole to gently pry outward. ........ Advice, anyone? >>

Bob:

Those seat post binder ears and the lug collar itself are very malleable and can easily be distorted into an awful mess. Sorry, I don't like either of your methods..

I would get your LBS to order a cheapo aluminum or steel 27.2 seatpost (or whatever the correct size is..?), the ones that have a taper toward the top to accommodate the "old fashioned" (non integrated) seat clamp. Then securely hold the frame in a big vise using soft jaws and clamping the bb faces (remove BB first). Then turn the straight seat post upside down, heavily greasing it, insert the small end into frame, and push/tap/persuade into frame in a twisting motion. This should spread and make more round the seat post "hole" in the frame. Do it progressively and try not to rock the post to and fro, as this can also ovalized the hole... Then have your LBS use his precision ream to accomplish the final machining of the frame to a perfect 27.2 I.D.

Dale Brown
Greensboro, NC