Damaged painwork.

"Paul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

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Another newbie question, sorry.

A while ago when cleaning the chain, rotating the cranks by hand and

running

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the chain through a rag I managed to make the chain jump off the granny

ring

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and jam against the chainstay. I noticed that it marked the painwork.

Today whilst cleaning the bike I had it upside down and noticed that the chain had gouged into the
painwork. I can't see any exposed aluminium in

the

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cut but it is awkward to view, on the chainstay behind the chainset, I had to look through the
gaps between the rings. As alway with scratched paintwork I put a dab of clear automobile laquer
over the area, just out

of

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habit.

I was wondering whether I should be concerned about this, apparently

minor,

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damage. I think that the damage is to the painwork only in which case

it'll

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be fine but I have heard a lot about aluminium frames cracking around

areas

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of damage and was wonering whether, if the chain had cut into the

aluminium,

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such damage might in time worsten.

I've had similar nicks happen from the chain (when I'd just bought the

bike

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and the gears were settling in) to the edge of the BB shell which have

never

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been a problem but I just wanted to be sure. The frame is painguage 7005

HT.

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Many thanks for any thoughts,

Paul.

Well, the reality is, what are you going to do about it if it IS gouged?? Not much. I'd check that
area more carefully for cracks and just ride. I don't know how many miles you do, but I don't think
you're going to crack the frame there anytime soon. You could remove the cranks, file and sand the
gouges down to reduce focal points for stress and repaint. That might ensure no further damage. And
if it does fail there, it likely won't be catastrophic so take heart in that.

That chain problem is probably the worst thing about most bike's design. My old Fisher had brazed
on bosses for a chain-suck guard and it worked wonderfully. I wish more mfg's would put them on.

Cheers,

Scott..

Thanks for the reassurance Scott. As I said I think that it's probably just scrapped up paint rather
that damage to the underlying metal. I was turning the cranks by hand when the chain jumped off, not
pedaling hard or anything, so I would imagine that the forces involved were not great.

I think that I've become a little paranoid after hearing and reading about aluminium failing so I
tend to be a little over intense checking for damage (I have a tiny little pinhead sized dent in the
top tube which had worried me but steadfastly refused to do anything). Forunately a lot of post here
have been more reassuring in terms of the durability/longevity of aluminium frames.

My mechanical skills are a little poor so I'll probably leave the chainset where it is, I usually
end up causing more problems than I solve but thanks for the idea.

Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to reply. Kind Regards, Paul.