The dropouts that we make for the geared SV’s have a steel main body for strength, but we still want stainless steel where the wheel is interfacing with the frame; the faces of the dropouts. The inner face is brazed onto the dropout with silver, prior to joining the drops to the chainstays. The outer face is bolted on with 4 size 2-56 (small) stainless torx bolts after the frame is painted. We have the outer face laser cut from 22 gauge 304 stainless steel flat stock. Laser cutting is precise and makes for a nice part, but because of the heat, it leaves a burr on the edges of the part where the laser penetrates (yes this whole post is just an excuse to say “laser penetrates”) and a not totally consistent finish. This is a video of Mike putting the final brushed finish on a face before it goes onto a new SV road frame. Maybe your SV road frame!!!!
Could you use a similar approach to this to create a durable and attractive chain stay protector? Given you were hypothesizing about this the other day? Although admittedly the shape of Vagen chain stays would make it difficult…
Comment by Vincenzo — March 25, 2012 @ 4:05 pm
I’ve thought about stainless for a chainstay protector. Shaping it would be one issue. Weight would be another, because the piece would be quite large…
Comment by Sacha — March 25, 2012 @ 7:33 pm
re: Chainstay protectors? 3M Clear bra? It’s thick, clear, and flexible.
Comment by Carl — March 26, 2012 @ 8:28 pm