Classic & Vintage - how to/should i fix a bent bianchi fork myself?

Hi all,

For those of you who followed the thread about the Bianchi I was planning on getting...I got it! (Here's the original thread: http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=4204439 )

It rides REALLY well and fits me perfectly. While I was riding it, though, I noticed that the front wheel goes off to the right just ever so slightly. it's not the wheel because i checked it out and it's completely straight. The only thing I could figure is that one of the fork prongs is slightly bent (either the right one is bent backward or the left one is bent forward).

Now, my question is: How feasible is it for me to attempt to fix this problem myself, having very little bike maintenance experience. And if I do attempt this, how should I go about it?

Maybe I should just take it into the shop instead of putting my bike at risk of being useless?

Please advise. Thanks!

A misalignment that is not readily visible to the naked eye is kind of hard to fix, as you can imagine. The only really correct way to go about it is to set the frame up on an alignment table, which is not something that the average shop has. There is probably no harm in taking it to your LBS to get a more experienced set of eyes on the problem, but ultimately you may have to visit the local frame builder, if there is such a thing in your area, and if the cost and effort of such a solution is worth it to correct what sounds like a minor problem.

Huh ..No wonder why it was sold so low. The man said it, Six jours has advised you well,unlike members in to early post,who believe that one should jump on anything E-Bay,E-Bay 's filled with individuals who run thier game better than many buyers,I believe as far as true value a safetty,it's a sellers not buyers market.I'd call someone such a builder or good shop,give them an over-view.Bent anything aquires what's called "memory",it can be bent-back but is apt to default to it's misaligned state.It seems minor enough to live with once straightend. Consider a carbon fork,a new one.I've seen many on sale all over the net.That fork ain't all that anyway,I remember those models.Yeah it's Columbus like on man said but DAH so what,columbus what?..Columbus STEEL .so what..an inferior fork,the better bike THEN had ALLOY, a very decidely aluminum-like alloy.Th dudes at the other post won't say that,they probably will tell you to get an E-Bay fork. I'll say:"where are they now?"..maybe later when they get-off work,one of them will by the bike...NOT !!!!

what? take it to the shop $5 fix no big deal.

While I was riding it, though, I noticed that the front wheel goes off to the right just ever so slightly.
I suppose this is worth defining a little more closely. Do you mean that the bike has a tendency to go right while riding it? And if so, does it do this only while riding no hands or can you actually detect, through your hands, the bike trying to turn right?

Or is it something completely different, like a visually apparent misalignment: the wheel not centered in the forks, or not "pointing" in the same direction as the handlebars or top tube?

The first problem is often not a problem at all. All my bikes try to turn right while I ride with no hands, and that's because of me rather than the bike. If, OTOH, you have experience on many different bicycles and this is the only one that does it, then you probably have a small misalignment that can only be diagnosed and fixed on an alignment table.

If you can sense the bike trying to turn and you have to resist this tendency with your handlebars, you have a real problem that needs attention from the LBS and then, most likely, the alignment table. A problem this severe ought to be readily visible to the unaided eye, however.

If, finally, you mean that the wheel is not visibly aligned with some other part of the bike, then it matters what part is not aligned. I hope you'll pardon me, but if the problem is as simple as the wheel not aligning with the handlebars/stem (I have no idea of your experience level) then all you need is an allen wrench. :)

< edit > There are precious few shops that can fix anything for $5 -- let alone what are often very subtle alignment issues. FWIW.

what? take it to the shop $5 fix no big deal.

really?? you're my hero if it's that cheap. i knew i could trust a peugeot fan

Yeah, good luck with that.:rolleyes: :lol:

I'm sure the shop will appreciate you having determined his labor charge,that's nice. The young guy is not experienced and already a bit confused as he has stated clearly,not just my oppinon. Folkes 've been told by "shops" :"not interested" when presented with such problems,THAT's why he ought to call,as opposed to showing-up at a shop with a five dollar bill in hand. I'd do it with a soft-faced mallet in a few swats,I ran machine shops.I've straitened various types of components,never charged five bucks,I'd get at least eight or so,I guess I was high-priced.

Yeah, good luck with that.:rolleyes: :lol:

damn

A real bike store with a drop-out alignment tool should be able to fix it or determine if it is not fixable. It's not a big production but I would be willing to spend enough to cover an hour labor charge.

Maybe five bucks to a shop-rat that brings donuts everyday and sweeps the backroom, but probably $30 for the man off the street.

I suppose this is worth defining a little more closely. Do you mean that the bike has a tendency to go right while riding it? And if so, does it do this only while riding no hands or can you actually detect, through your hands, the bike trying to turn right?

Yes, I noticed the problem when I tried to ride it without hands. I can do it fine on my Peugeot, so I don't think it's me. The bike goes kind of crazy when I take my hands off the bar. Visually, I can see a very slight turn to the right when I'm looking for it (or is it in my head??). It's not a huge problem. If I keep my hands on the bike it's not really too noticeable...it's more of a mental thing.

If it is as minor as you say you could just throw a proper drop out alignment tool on there and see how bad it is, if not very then I would just gentle try and correct it by hand (though fork legs are extremely hard to bend. The problem is you will have to choose which one to correct (or correct both slightly), this is not the best fix though. The best is to put it in a fork jig and have a builder correct it, but that might cost you $40 or more and you may have a hard time finding someone in your area.

I had a cheap frame that did that. The rear triangle was bent to the right, so the whole bike was skewed. It had been in a wreck big enough to bend the stem. I junked it. But, I only paid $6 for it and it was a sears frame.

Now you have to define "kind of crazy". :)

A slight pull to the right with no hands -- if this doesn't happen to you on any other bike -- is usually an indication of slight misalignment. I have never met anyone who is capable of diagnosing and fixing slight misalignments without relatively sophisticated tools, and I'm sorry, but in all seriousness I do not believe the chances of you local bike shop employing such a fellow are very high -- let alone the chances of him doing it for a fiver.

Now, if it's not your imagination and there really is a visible misalignment, then a very experienced expert can sometimes improve -- but not totally correct -- the situation without an alignment table. Unfortunately we are now in an era when the LBS cannot always be counted upon to provide very experienced experts.

If you will, define "kind of crazy" as closely as you can.

forks are a bigger pain than frames, My local non-profit pay to use LBS (i know I am lucky) has a park frame alignment tool and the tool for bending stays, It like a giant dishing tool and makes spreading or cinching your rear triangle pretty easy. I have corrected a few skewed frames in this manner.

The problem described can be from many things, an "old school" shop with a fork alignment jig is where to go, fork out, crown race off, brake off, and check the tips for alignment and the fork for alignment as well. I lost the local guy I would trust, he moved, so when faced with the next one bought a VAR fork alignment jig, that and some Campagnolo tip alignment tools and a few home made fork bending levers, (similar to the Park tool, just not adjustable, and problems solved. Now some background doing this helps. Without experience, find a properly tooled mechanic and pay the price, will probably charge more if you watch.

Fork alignment is a sunsetting art, can't bent alloy forks, can't bend back titanium, and carbon is how it was made or splintered. Note many new carbon forks are bad from the factory. Ask what the tolerances are if looking for a plastic fantastic fork, you will be surprised at how you have to pay for things to be straight.

So it goes.

thanks all for your suggestions. I life in a relatively bike-heavy city, so hopefully someone will be able to help.

Six jours: when I write "kind of crazy" (sorry the vague description), I mean that the second I let go of the bars, the bike immediately goes to the right, and then I'll try to correct that with my body, and then the wheel will flop back and forth for a bit and then I have to steady myself.

Certainly sounds like an alignment issue. Sorry there isn't any "quick fix" that I'm aware of. Try the bike shops; maybe you'll stumble onto one of the truly knowledgable fellows who can help you out.

Bent anything aquires what's called "memory",it can be bent-back but is apt to default to it's misaligned state.PM'ed you.