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Is this fork bent? Unsafe?

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Is this fork bent? Unsafe?

Old 05-14-09, 07:48 PM
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Is this fork bent? Unsafe?



Was offered this bike for a decent price, and just in time (I need a bike for my girlfriend's birthday present) but for some reason I feel like it looks like the fork is bent in, towards the frame in this photo. Is it the angle that the photo is being taken from, or the way the wheel is turned to the right? Am I seeing things, or does someone else concur? Also, if it is bent, is it bent to an unsafe degree?

And yes, I'm aware of the lack of foot retention, I'll be fixing it up for proper road use if I do decide to buy it.
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Old 05-14-09, 08:01 PM
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Its def bent (note also how close the front tire is to the bottom tube) not a problem as its an easy fix (replace the fork) but check the top and bottom tubes where they meet the headtube, if you find any wrinkled paint forget about it as they (top and bottom tubes) are bent. Good luck with it.
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Old 05-14-09, 08:12 PM
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Originally Posted by ilikebikes
Its def bent (note also how close the front tire is to the bottom tube) not a problem as its an easy fix (replace the fork) but check the top and bottom tubes where they meet the headtube, if you find any wrinkled paint forget about it as they (top and bottom tubes) are bent. Good luck with it.
Crap. Well, replacing the fork would be easy, except I'm not really sure where I'm gonna find a fork that'll fit it because of its frenchness. Also, if I go and check out the bike and find out that the tubes aren't bent, is the current fork safe to ride for the time being? The bike won't really be ridden excessively hard, or over 10 miles at a time.
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Old 05-14-09, 08:25 PM
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It's really bent. A fork like that will not ride or steer properly. There is also the risk of the fork breaking at the steerer tube.

That being said, how much? It looks like a 70's Motobecane and those look like TA cranks. If its a Jubilee or a Grand Record I would consider selling the frame and parts off for a decent profit.
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Old 05-14-09, 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by jjvw
It's really bent. A fork like that will not ride or steer properly. There is also the risk of the fork breaking at the steerer tube.

That being said, how much? It looks like a 70's Motobecane and those look like TA cranks. If its a Jubilee or a Grand Record I would consider selling the frame and parts off for a decent profit.
$100, including all of the original parts that were swapped out when it was converted. It's a Super-Mirage, so, as far as I'm aware, the frame isn't worth a ton of money, but isn't bad either. Thanks for the advice, I guess I'm not gonna buy it now, unless I can find another fork cheap - anyone know where I can find one?
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Old 05-14-09, 08:35 PM
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I have a Super Mirage. Nice, but not worth $100. Although, I'm still curious about those cranks. If those are in fact (cotterless) TA's, I'd seriously consider it. But I'm into the vintage stuff.
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Old 05-14-09, 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by jjvw
I have a Super Mirage. Nice, but not worth $100. Although, I'm still curious about those cranks. If those are in fact (cotterless) TA's, I'd seriously consider it. But I'm into the vintage stuff.
Eh, I'm really just looking for something that will be rideable off the bat. When I talked to the owner, I said I'd meet him on Saturday to look at at and decide if I want it. If I can find a fork before then, then I'll get it but otherwise, I'm pretty turned off by the current situation.
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Old 05-14-09, 08:44 PM
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That frame isn't worth finding a new fork for. Skip it.
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Old 05-14-09, 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by jjvw
That frame isn't worth finding a new fork for. Skip it.
Will do, thanks.
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Old 05-14-09, 08:48 PM
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Now I'm gonna go buy it! Haha!

Seriously, the Super Mirage was second or third from the bottom of the line for Motobecane. If it was complete and in very good condition, then it might be worth the money.
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Old 05-14-09, 09:10 PM
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does anyone else find it funny that it's a fixed gear with no clips and it obviously ran straight into something?
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Old 05-14-09, 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by helloamerican
does anyone else find it funny that it's a fixed gear with no clips and it obviously ran straight into something?
Yeah well, when I asked the kid what the gear ratio is, and what BCD the cranks/spider are, he told me that all he knew was that it was a "high gear". He probably crashed it and wants to get rid of it...or maybe he just can't find a fork just like I can't. Oh well. Back to the search.
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Old 05-14-09, 09:29 PM
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me next, me next!! I ran straight into something once.. is mine bent?

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Old 05-14-09, 09:47 PM
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Originally Posted by PedallingATX
is mine bent?
What do you think?
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Old 05-14-09, 09:51 PM
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I think...no. But, that other one didn't look bent until I really looked at it. Plus, I am kind of a hypochondriac when it comes to my bikes. Whenever I hear about something bad happening to another bike, I get worried it will happen to mine haha. Anyone else like that?

Also, how easy is it to bend a fork? I mean I ran straight into a parked car bumper one time when I was first riding. Does it just depend on the fork or how fast you are going or how much you weigh? Is it common?
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Old 05-14-09, 09:56 PM
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The head tube and the upper portion of the fork blades ought to be in a straight line. It is plainly obvious that the Super Mirage does not exhibit that quality.

If you are worried about yours, look at where the bottom headset cup meets the lower bearing race. The margin around the circumference should be even. If it is larger on the front side, then you fork is bent.

Last edited by jjvw; 05-14-09 at 10:03 PM.
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Old 05-14-09, 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by PedallingATX
I think...no. But, that other one didn't look bent until I really looked at it. Plus, I am kind of a hypochondriac when it comes to my bikes. Whenever I hear about something bad happening to another bike, I get worried it will happen to mine haha. Anyone else like that?

Also, how easy is it to bend a fork? I mean I ran straight into a parked car bumper one time when I was first riding. Does it just depend on the fork or how fast you are going or how much you weigh? Is it common?
Ride it with no hands and see if it tracks straight. If it's bent just put it on CL. Whoops, maybe I shouldn't have said that.
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Old 05-14-09, 10:15 PM
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idig-haha

I looked at it pretty closely and it looks fine. I guess if it is bent, it is minor enough that it is probably negligible anyways. Thanks for temporarily relieving my most recent attack of velochondria.
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Old 05-14-09, 10:38 PM
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Originally Posted by PedallingATX
Off-topic, but are you left handed? I might put a front brake on my fg and it makes sense that it should be closest to my dominant hand (I'm right-handed). For some reason every bike I've ridden and most that I've seen online have had the front brake lever on the left.
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Old 05-14-09, 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by r0br0
Off-topic, but are you left handed? I might put a front brake on my fg and it makes sense that it should be closest to my dominant hand (I'm right-handed). For some reason every bike I've ridden and most that I've seen online have had the front brake lever on the left.
That's just the standard for a bike with two brakes. I have a brake on my FG and its on the right side.
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Old 05-14-09, 10:58 PM
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Originally Posted by cblaster
That's just the standard for a bike with two brakes. I have a brake on my FG and its on the right side.
In the US, at least. And not if you have a motorcycle too.
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Old 05-15-09, 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by jjvw
I have a Super Mirage. Nice, but not worth $100. Although, I'm still curious about those cranks. If those are in fact (cotterless) TA's, I'd seriously consider it. But I'm into the vintage stuff.
I wouldn't buy it just for the vintage parts, I fell for the "buy it and sell the vintage parts!" BS a few times, never again, I've had TA cranks that wouldn't sell when I offered them for $50.00, still have the Stronglight drilliums that I offered too, and a bunch of other "vintage" stuff that never sold, it took me a while but I finally figured that a vintage part is only worth money when some other member that isn't me is selling it.
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Old 05-16-09, 01:34 AM
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i prefer the front brake on the right also.
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