Bending fork legs
#1
Wood
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Beaumont, Tx
Posts: 2,293
Bikes: Raleigh Sports: hers. Vianelli Professional & Bridgestone 300: mine
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
Bending fork legs
I have this Bridgestone 300 in my size, after I get the current project done, I was thinking of converting this to a 3 speed upright city.
The forks bother me. Would it be crazy to bend the legs to more of a curve at the tips, an inch or so further out? I don't know exactly how I would do it, but I have a vise.
The forks bother me. Would it be crazy to bend the legs to more of a curve at the tips, an inch or so further out? I don't know exactly how I would do it, but I have a vise.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,863
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1853 Post(s)
Liked 659 Times
in
502 Posts
The only reason I can thing of he'd be better off is if the job gets botched. I had a CrMo Trek fork bent by a framebuilder to increase trail about 7 years ago, and it is in fine condition today, still aligned and keeping the front wheel under control. And it's far cheaper than building one or buying a new one.
there's a minor issue of raising or lowering the front end, but this won't detract much from the effect of changing rake.
there's a minor issue of raising or lowering the front end, but this won't detract much from the effect of changing rake.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,863
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1853 Post(s)
Liked 659 Times
in
502 Posts
have an expert bend it for you. It should cost around $40, he'll maintain alignment, and if what you want to do in particular is a bad idea, he'll tell you.
#5
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,496
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2412 Post(s)
Liked 4,374 Times
in
2,086 Posts
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Pinole, CA, USA
Posts: 17,392
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 443 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times
in
25 Posts
I did it using a vice, wooden blocks and a piece of pipe. I needed to increase the rake of a replacement fork for a Raleigh Competition. The original for had a huge curve in it. The only problem I encountered was that the chrome was ruined and I had to grind it off and paint the fork. I didn't mind experimenting with the fork since I got it for $10 at a swap.
I only added about 10 millimeters of rake.
I only added about 10 millimeters of rake.
Last edited by Grand Bois; 11-23-09 at 06:26 PM.
#7
Senior Member
A bike co-op should have a cheap fork with the right rake in it already, for cheaper than a framebuilder's time I would imagine.
#8
Wood
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Beaumont, Tx
Posts: 2,293
Bikes: Raleigh Sports: hers. Vianelli Professional & Bridgestone 300: mine
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
Thanks guys, I'll probably let this one stew for a while, maybe a better frame or fork will show, in time.
Bike co-op? I'm in Texas, I'm not sure they allow co-ops here. Maybe in Austin...
Bike co-op? I'm in Texas, I'm not sure they allow co-ops here. Maybe in Austin...