Dents in top tube of a yeti arc - Can these be repaired?

[tonybrown5]

Out for a stroll in London at lunch and meet a really nice chap riding a slightly battered but original arc. I've asked about him selling it and he's open to considering. Whilst the frame 100% needs so be love and paint there are 2 debts in the top tube of like some opinions on as to whether they can be safely repaired. What are your thoughts...
Also what sort of value given the work required?

 

[davez26]

Re:

I work in the auto industry, and sometimes with dents we can use a company that specializes in 'Paintless Dent Repair'.
The process is non-invasive, so no holes, scuffs, etc.
From what I understand, creases are never going to be perfect, while nice rounded dents are the best to work with.
Of course, vehicle sheetmetal is a different material than tubing, but WTH, maybe check with a few of those guys in your area?

 

[Retro Spud]

Wow what a survivor- most would have cracked by now !

Mine was in better structural shape but equally as weathered as that and in need of new paint.

Nice find, to be honest if you buy it off him you’ll be doing him a favour as they aren’t built for being a pub bikes

 

[SouthCoastRetro]

Re:

Apparently the tubes were so thin on those you could pinch them? I recall being in our LBS way back when and they had the actual ARC that had belonged to Dave Hemming (had his name on the top tube) and was an MBUK cover star, it had exactly the same dents from when the bars had spun in a crash.

 

[M-Power]

Re:

Like those old 50/60s race cars that still carry their race scars, this looks better left as it is, ridden and enjoyed.

 

[mattr]

TBH, I'd not fancy popping the dents out of a thin gauge aluminium tube. It really doesn't like being bent!

 

[Double-E F]

That's the kind of encounter I've been on the lookout for for a while !
I'd just leave the dents in, those are part of the character..
Any interesting kit on it at the moment, or has it all been used fully?

 

[Retro Spud]

Re: Re:

Like those old 50/60s race cars that still carry their race scars, this looks better left as it is, ridden and enjoyed.

But that wear and tear is from being chained up outside Poundland and Happyshopper in Croydon for the past 10 years not from hammering down the Kamakazi run in 1992 - can’t even claim its been Ranjet Grewels pub bike for the past 20 years either, it’s no more than someone’s unwitting neglect and abuse



It deserves much better - it’s an ARC not an Emmelle or low end Orange - Kona etc


Mine was dent free but just as beaten up and now it’s had both Geoff Waugh and Steve Behr photograph it - and made top billing in an article about the Malverns

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=223525&start=150#p2857127


Rescue it and seize the opportunity to make it sparkle once again

 

[tonybrown5]

It is very battle scarred and adorned with a absolute mash up of components. The Middleburn crank for example is only on 1 side.
I've mailed him so will see if he comes back.

 

[jez-4-bikes-max]

RESCUE ALERT!!

Just needs filling and a respray then it will be probably worth a decent amount.

You must rescue this.