Downtube bosses..... what the hell can I do with them?

[Manonabike]

Before I send the frame for a paint job I should know what I'm going to do about the bosses on the downtube. I wanted to keep them in case I don't like the idea of a single speed after all but I think if that is the case then I'll sell the bike as a single speed bike.

What do people do with them when they don't want them?

 

[iandg]

On bikes that I've converted to fixed, I've had them removed. You can always get band on levers and stops if you want to go back to gears. I've ridden fixed for over 30 years tho' so know I'm happy with it (and grew up in an era when everything was band on). If you're not sure about ss tho' and think you may want to return to gears then maybe you should leave them be

 

[Manonabike]

On bikes that I've converted to fixed, I've had them removed. You can always get band on levers and stops if you want to go back to gears. I've ridden fixed for over 30 years tho' so know I'm happy with it (and grew .up in an era when everything was band on). If you're not sure about ss tho' and think you may want to return to gears then maybe you should leave them be

Hi and thanks for you reply.

As I said in my first post, I'm not bothered about having gears on that frame again. If I don't like SS then I will just sell the bike.

I live in Bournemouth and there are a few hills around so there is a chance I might not like a SS but I'll never know if I don't try.

I'm interested about how to get rid of them and make the downtube look like there were never there. I upgraded a Reynolds 531 frame before and with that frame it seemed like one could remove the bosses but on this frame, perhaps 20 years older, the bosses seem to be welded to the frame.

I will have to investigate what my options are....

 

[iandg]

If you have a professional builder enameler such as Bob Jackson they remove them with the welding torch, tidy up the frame and you shouldn't notice that they've been there

 

[andrew_s]

Lever bosses are mostly brazed on to steel frames rather than welded. You might be able to get them hot enough to come off with a meaty gas blowtorch.
If you leave them on, it's usual just to put on a pair of cable stops like these http://www.cyclebasket.com/products.php?plid=m9b0s357p1743, and take the adjusters out.
I have seen similar that are just covers, but can't remember where.

 

[gwhite]

A domed Allen-headed bolt makes a neat job and gives the option of fitting levers at a later date.

 

[Manonabike]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I double checked the bike again and definitely bosses and downtube look like they are one piece, unlike my other bike where one could see a whole in the tube.

It seems like cutting them off and then grounding them down my be the safest way to avoid damage to the tube,

I will try to post a picture later on

 

[Manonabike]

Not a very good picture but I think you'll see what I mean

 

[Zoiders]

Like the others said it will simply be brazed on, you don't need a mega heavy duty torch you just need something with a pencil flame to shift the braze and remove it.

Failing that a dremmel cutting disc will do the job if you aren't cack handed.

Band-on's for indexed were made by Shimano and your LBS may well have one floating about in the bit's box(we have a few), failing that if you take a an old Sachs Wavey non indexed band on shifter set you can remove the levers and Shimano adjustable downtube stops will just bolt straight on. I have done the same conversion for a chap who was getting on in years and wanted to convert from band on downtube levers to butterfly bars with thumb shifters.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Personally I'd just leave them be. If you are having the frame repainted at a bike place - they will unbraze them for you if you ask. Or are you doing it all yourself?

 

[Manonabike]

I thought I'd posted a reply this morning


Anyway, I will cut off the long bit..... I'm sure I will hate myself if I don't do it before the paint job.

Thanks for the suggestions

 

[Manonabike]

Today I cut the long bit off and filed the rest (square part) all the way to the downtube..... filled the small round hole, left by the long bit, with solder and filed it down....... very please with the result so tomorrow the frame is off the get painted

 

[Bigsharn]

Keep the levers on, and use them to switch lights on/off