Touring - Installing threaded eyelets in fork blades

OK, I'm installing lowriders on a new steel fork. The fork has eyelets at the dropouts, but no threaded eyelet in the middle of the fork blade. The rack comes with a semi-flimsy, difficult to use rubber-coated clamp, that will not doubt become rusty in short order.

So maybe I can have a shop install those little threaded eyelets on the fork blades. I understand that shops have this little tool that pops them in once the hole is drilled, and it doesn't involve heat. Can't remember the name of it.

Anyway, my question is whether this is a wise (safe) idea. The fork is chromoly, and seems pretty beefy. It's the 700c disc/v-brake fork that nashbar sells.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Rich

the tool is called either a riv-nut or nutsert tool and ive wondered if this would damage the fork leg as well.

Its possible to get braze-ons welded onto the fork leg if you're worried about holes weekening the forks. But really it shouldn't be an issue if its done properly.

Unless you are competent at stress analysis, you should not even consider drilling a hole in a fork blade. Fork failure will almost certainly ruin your afternoon.

If you don't like the clamp that came with the fork, buy a couple Adel clamps. These are similar shape to what you have, but are desinged for holding wiring bundles on aircraft. They should not rust. If you froogle "Adel clamp" you should get sources.

The clamp that came with the original Low Rider was anything but flimsy, and back then I never saw the mid fork mounting point. Another option is cord, clove hitch around the fork, tension it front and back on the low rider, epoxy impregnate. ALso consider racks that mount on the brakes, or higher up. Im going for a tall front rack next time, the extra space is great, and better than a handlebar bag, for me.

Anything that goes as an insert inside a hole in the fork sounds like a ripping big hole.