I am aware of the problem that not back purging the welds with argon gas creates, and as I understand and you have pointed out this was the case with some of the frames CK made.
I do, however, think your comments that all CK frames will crack is far too much of a genrealised statement as there afterall riders of CK frames here on the forum who haven't had any problems and no doubt expect them to last many years hence.
Moreover in my particlaur case my frame was welded up by Ivo Vinklarek, who I understand was a highly regarded Ti welder and the problems started when CK outsourced the frame building.
You may also find the following interesting;
"There were several welders. The two best known are Ivo Vinklarek and Don Herr. Both of these guys are as good as anyone in the business, IMHO. "
That is from;
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicy ... =19&hl=en#
"Pretty much all the frames welded by Ivo Vinkralek are bullet proof." and "The only problem I see with Clark Kent frames is the inconsistency in workmanship. But rest assured that if your frame was welded by Ivo Vinkralek, it will not crack.
That is post no. 15 from
http://forums.mtbr.com/vintage-retro-cl ... 89617.html
I have also checked my frame and there are no silly colours and the frame has no cracks despite being 17 years old and it is a used frame, it hasn't been hanging up on someones wall. A good friend of mine has also looked at the frame and has no conerns about the welds and he does know what he is talking about.
I therefore expect that the frame to give me many years of service especially as I am making the frame up as a 26" wheeled road bike, which is what I have been riding on the road for more years than I can remember, so the frame won't be under the same stresses that a a frame would normally be subjected to when taken off road.
I do, however, concede that nothing lasts forever and at some point the frame may fail but as far as I can see, it won't be because of the lack of argon gas back purging of the welds when the frame was made, as if it was going to happen, it would have happened by, wouldn't it?