Tandem Cycling - Question about forks.

So, despite that we haven't really ridden our Burley yet, I'm curious about fork options.
Currently the bike is using a 1 1/8in threaded fork with a quill stem. I don't mind either, personally. But 1 1/8in quill stems are quite the rarity. The one is has is a ZOOM adjustable and I'm not really fond of it's appearance.
I'm just curious if I can use a regular 1 1/8" fork, like from a Surly Cross Check or LHT, on it and not have any ill effects. I've been looking and haven't seen any steel forks for tandems for wheel sizes other than 26in.
None of this is a big deal. And we'll probably ride the tandem for a season or so before any major changes, but just wanted to know if this is possible. I don't want to have to shell out $500 or so on a Wound Up carbon fork.
Thanks, all.
-Gene-

not a good idea to use a fork from a single bike, you want to make sure it's rated for a tandem.

I wouldn't use a racing single's fork, but the Long Haul Trucker's a full-on touring bike -- I'd think its fork would be pretty beefy. You'd want to make sure its rake is comparable to your existing fork, though...

Daniel

When the OP said "regular fork", it's unclear whether he/she is referring to a fork from a single bike instead of a tandem fork or if he/she means a threadless fork instead of a threaded fork. If it is the former, then you have the answers above (i.e., not recommended unless it is an extra beefy single-bike fork); if it is the latter, then the answer is yes, you'll just have to change the headset and stem at the same time as you change the fork, but this shouldn't be too hard.

You could try getting a replacement fork from Cannondale or Comotion.
Just make sure the rake and length are right.
Precision tandems sells the Comotion steel forks for $325.
Maybe you can buy direct from Comotion.

No need to change your fork. A quill-to-threadless adaptor would be easier and less costly. We've been using one for years on our Bilenky travel tandem. Search the net for "Nitto MT Column 25.4mm." It looks like this:

Currently the bike is using a 1 1/8in threaded fork with a quill stem. I don't mind either, personally. But 1 1/8in quill stems are quite the rarity.

Hold the phone, Amani. Why not just use a $20 adapter to adapt the quill style to a threadless style and use any stem you want? Do a search for a Delta or Profile threadless stem adapter. I use one on one of my bikes and they work fine.

+2 on the Quill adapter. Your Burley is a nice bike, particularly at the price you paid, but it's not worth changing the whole front end.

You're talking a new tandem rated fork, new headset, and new stem. It could easily run you more than you paid for the bike, and won't accomplish much that the adapter wouldn't.

I was also asking cause I haven't seen a 1 1/8" in quill adapter either. The only one's I've seen are 1" to 1 1/8", not 1 1/8" to 1 1/8". I imagine I could rig one up nicely, but a premade would be preferred. Unless I just need to use a 1/8" spacer. Then all of this is moot.
Yes I was talking about a steel single threadless fork, btw. Sorry for the confusion.
-Gene-

The ID of 1 1/8" Quill-compatible steerers is one inch (25.4 mm); Nitto and others make exactly what you need. Yeah, some come with/require a shim. But the Nitto that I pointed you to is not one of them. They apparently make two other versions: The MT 22.2. to convert from an inch steerer to an inch ID stem, and the MT 28.6, to convert a 1 1/4" steerer to a 1 1/8" ID stem (a potential godsend to Santana owners!).

the MT 28.6, to convert a 1 1/4" steerer to a 1 1/8" ID stem (a potential godsend to Santana owners!).

Yes, a godsend. That's what I put on our Santana. I can now use any standard 1 1/8" stem. Very convenient when you are still fine tuning your position, I am on my third stem in two months but I got it right this time.

The adapter you want for a 1 1/8" fork is available through Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Nitto-Column-25-4mm-28-6mm-threadless/dp/B001CJV70K