Dan Kasha wrote:
>
> Probably the only big question I still wonder about
> is the spacing of the rear drop-outs. [snip]
> should I have them reset back to 120mm? My main
> concern is the issue of risk to the frame.
I say go for it! Having adjusted the rear space on maybe a thousand frames during my framebuilding years, I can say with some authority that the risk is quite small if done by someone experienced in these things. And this frame really "needs' to be 120.
Yes frames do break sometimes, almost never while being bent but maybe later from fatigue; fatigue that may have been accelerated by the multiple respacings. But if it were mine I know I would take the risk.
You mentioned a couple of experienced shops in your neighborhood you could take it to. A caveat: if the shop has and old guy and a kid, and if you don't impress on them that this bike has great value to you, they might give it to the kid to do. Let them know that this isn't just transportation for you, it's a collector's item. It's not really that hard, but some untrained young bike mechanics think it's easier than it is. I've seen bikes where they just grabbed one dropout in each hand and whailed away, which guarantees that frame will be out of alignment afterward. Correct technique involves holding the bottom bracket shell and bending each stay separately. So either bring it to them with the crankset out, or pay them to do the dis- and re-assembly.
Mark Bulgier
Seattle, Wa
USA