Dented Frame

I'm in the process of locating a project bike to restore. One which I'm currently looking at has a small dent in each of the frame down-tubes near the cylinder head. It almost looks like a previous owner mounted a crash bar which over stressed the area. The dings are small, but I thought I'd lean on you experts to tell me just how easy this is to fix? Can a small area like this be repaired with body filler? Or is there a better option. If it is filled, can the frame still be successfully powder coated?

Thanks

Filling is best if they are shallow, there are fillers that can stand being powdercoated as well. Here is an example from the UK


http://www.lab-metal.com/

I'd prefer brazing myself to fill a bend like that, it adds a little strength. Crushing a tube weakens it.

Same thing on my MKIII frame. Two dents from some dipshit with a crash bar. Filled with weld, sand smooth and no one is the wiser. I'd be wanting to check frame alignment as well. if the bike went down then there could be something else that needs attention.

Coco said:

Same thing on my MKIII frame. Two dents from some dipshit with a crash bar. Filled with weld, sand smooth and no one is the wiser. I'd be wanting to check frame alignment as well. if the bike went down then there could be something else that needs attention.

Click to expand...

I'm going to look at the bike tomorrow. Any suggestions on how best to examine the frame for alignment (other than just sighting down the length)?

Here it is:

http://vintagenet.us/phantom/wsc.html

Bonwit said:

Coco said:

Same thing on my MKIII frame. Two dents from some dipshit with a crash bar. Filled with weld, sand smooth and no one is the wiser. I'd be wanting to check frame alignment as well. if the bike went down then there could be something else that needs attention.

Click to expand...

I'm going to look at the bike tomorrow. Any suggestions on how best to examine the frame for alignment (other than just sighting down the length)?

Click to expand...

I sent my frame to a fellow up here in Canada to align it as I had no clue what I was doing.

I had some small dents around the area of the kickstand. I filled them in with a wire welder and buzzed them smooth with a dotco grinder and a flat file.