I agree in the main with Doug's statement that the resetting of a frame, particularly the rear drop-outs is a very straightforward job, for a frame-builder/experienced bike mechanic.
I have checked out Steve's Fothergill frame several times on the Classic Lightweights site as it is a very attractive frame indeed..and a very rare one, although the company was quite prolific in the 50s. It's goo pd to see fancy lugs with an original design.
The frame will be made of Reynolds 531, so there will be no problems rea ligning it, but I would suggest that to simply bring in the rear drop-outs without checking whether the brake-bridge has been replaced when the frame was respread by Bob Jackson would be unwise, otherwise any resetting will just tend to bend in the seat-stays from the brake-bridge joint, resul tin in seat-stays that are bent slightly rather than straight.
The majority of 50s frames were made with brake-bridges cut from simple tubing with no reinforcement around or inside the brake spindle hole ( I sh ould have checked this feature before writing this email!!!). Consequently the bridges tended to squash in under pressure from the fixing bolt..and to deform. However replacing the bridge would ideally necessitate a respray.. ..
Norris Lockley , Settle UK
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