Dave and Doug and the gang know much more about this than I do, but from my experience doing a couple of DO replacements, I think there is encouragement to be had: A really good craftsman has an excellent chance of doing the silver solder w/o discoloring the chrome - if it is well shielded by flux. Discoloration is just oxidation. BUT, the key to strength with the silver alloys I know is that the joint must be very thin to have strength, so the parts must fit together very closely. If the parts weren't well fitted originally, don't count on a silver bead to add much strength. good luck!
harvey sachs mcLean va +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dave Porter wrote:
If you Google Muggyweld.com you will find that Mike sells a VERY low temp (600* I think) silver filler that can be applied with out significant discolorization of the chrome. The problem is holding the broken piece stable during the process. I use it to repair cast iron engine cracks with it to great success. Worth a look.
In response to Jerry Moos's tale of woe:
Anyone know a repair for a broken eyelet, short of rebrazing the eyelet or even replacing the DO? Returning from the post office just now on my new Bates, I heard a snap at the back of the bike and discovered one of the two eyelets on the rear drive side DO had broken off from the DO. This eyelet secured the fender stay for the rather hefty Weinmann rear mudguard. This is rather disappointing, as the frame, despite three years in storage, was nearly new in terms of having seen few miles. <snip> And the DO is chromed, so the repair or replacement would have to be chromed. Is there any sort of adhesive available that might have a decent chance of reattaching the eyelet to avoid sending the frame off for repair?