Is this original? 70 Rupp Roadster support piece

[novadose74]

Is this support piece original? I see some without it

 

[KMC1]

Some have it, some don't. It's called a gusset. My 1970 10" wheel bike has it.

 

[markus]

Usually its the early-mid years ones that had them, I think even with the gusset they had issues with the first ones off the line. but by the end of the year the changes led to them making it stronger without them. This was the service bulletin about that. so if your gusseted one does not have the 0 stamped on the downtube, save it till they get a time machine figured out, set it for early 1971 at the latest, bring it and $13 to your dealer and get yourself a new one

 

[novadose74]

lol, that’s awesome, I don’t plan to ride this thing hard, and only on the streets, so I’m hoping I will be all right.lol