Lynn,
Looks like the metal under the chrome has cracked. You could try to form it back into shape, but I wouldn't ride it afterwards. (I wouldn't even ride it now, for that matter.)
It appears that there are only two flat washers brazed on either side of the tube. If so, it's badly designed. With no inner sleeve for the nut to tighten against, that damage was inevitable. Even if you had a sleeve brazed in, the metal of the bridge doesn't likely have much strength left.
The only safe repair is to replace the bridge, IMO. Sorry.
Greg Reiche CyclArt Vista, CA USA
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of LTravers Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 2:48 PM To: Classic Rendezvous Subject: [CR] I know this can be fixed...
but can it be done without replacement and rechroming? I was wondering if it could be carefully reformed, perhaps using a wood form to shape it. Then something done to reinforce it? No idea what and I figure the chrome would suffer no matter how it was done.
http://s183.photobucket.com/
Comments?
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Lynn Travers
Hazelwood, Missouri USA