Detail shot of top tube fit to seat tube on frame no. 7018 prior to lug brazing. Preform brass brazing rings have previously been inserted and silver tack brazed to both ends of the top tube to allow for internal brazing.

Pic of frame no. 7018 held in the Marchetti ML 301/G-500 frame brazing fixture during set up check prior to brazing.

Detail of bottom bracket shell during pre-brazing fit-up check of frame no. 7018. Sub-assembly of bottom bracket shell brazed up with chainstays and seat tube has previously been completed and returned to the frame fixture for fit-up to main diamond tubes (top, head and bottom tube).

Angle shot of frame no. 7018 held in the ML 301/G-500 Marchetti brazing (welding) fixture. The frame tubes are held 500mm. from the fixture plate which rotates on an axle through a 100mm. diameter bearing housing. Rotation of the axle is modulated by a pneumatic brake which facilitates optimal positioning of each joint during the brazing process.

Brass brazing Scott's frame no. 7018. OBCA tee shirt is mandatory garb for brazing bike frames with preform brass rings and a big hot torch. Air hardening Reynolds tubes gain strength as the frame cools to well in excess of the as delivered values. This unique air hardening property of Reynolds 853 and 631 tubing provides additional stiffness through reduced microyielding at the joints, allowing stiffer frames with excellent fatigue strength. This is why I continue to brass braze all Strawberry frames (braze-on's are silver brazed).

Frame no. 7018. Rear triangle wishbone detail. New 22.2mm. diameter topstay seatpost binder is coupled to a Reynolds tapered tube 19.05 x 22.2 x 0.7mm wall.

Frame no. 7018 seat lug/wishbone topstay binder detail.

Frame no. 7018. Wishbone topstay/integral seatpost binder/seat lug detail.

Frame no. 7018. Head lug detail. Brass brazed Long Shen lugs, Reynolds 631 air hardening steel, Columbus 36mm. head tube.