Repairable?
I have a 1996 Haro Group1 Elite race frame. Those who don't know, it's super rare (like 2500 just for the frame). It's aluminum. Here's the problem... the bottom bracket has a Crack in it running along the tube, perpendicular to the frame. It's about 3/4 of the way across the bottom bracket tube and it's underneath. I happen to be a very competent tig welder, and I KNOW FOR A FACT I could weld it up nicely. But I hear that will normalize the heat treat and soften the aluminum up to the point where it will fall under the normal stresses of merely pedaling the bike. Is this true? Can't I reheat treat the frame? If so, is there any special equipment needed to do so, other than an oven large enough for the frame to fit inside of? I really want to build it up, regrease/ replace all the bearings, new pedals, new brake cable and pads, etc for my son. It would be cool to see him riding the bike i won regionals and placed 2nd in nationals on.