[CR]Death Blow to a Dropout?

(Example: History:Ted Ernst)

From: <TADCPDAJD@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2003 13:59:58 EDT
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Death Blow to a Dropout?

Thirty-five miles into a 50 miler this morning, I deviated from the planned route for the only hard climb for miles around. Three-quarters of the way up, I shifted the derailleur right into the spokes and did some awful damage to the dropout. Besides being twised in toward the wheel, the jaws of the dropout are gaping open like a Pacman in attack mode. This was a Campagnolo dropout on Richard Sachs serial number 22. If you can imagine the jaws of the dropout, you can imagine my own jaw as I stared at my atrocity

I have laid a straight-edge along the stays and they do not seem bent. I have reviewed the archives for "bent dropout" and "dropout repair" but to little encouragement. Is the dropout beyond redemption? If the dropout must be replaced, should both dropouts be replaced? Is this an easily accomplished task locally?

Then, the really tough question; almost 28 years later, this bike still has the original paint - if the dropout is replaced, should I just try to have the repair paint feathered into the old paint?

This story does have a bittersweet end to it. I called my wife to come pick me up, but she said, "Why don't I just bring you another bike to finish your ride." She brought a 23 year old RS and the ride really was a good tonic for a
bad incident.
Tom Donahue
Melbourne, FL