paint loss on fork dropouts
 

When I carry our tandem in the back of my truck I use a "bike tight" fork mount rack. This has caused paint loss in the dropouts on the steel fork. There is no rust to be seen at this point but, I want to make sure I never get any rust. My fork is custom "fade" painted so I cant match the paint exactly but, I wouldnt need to as it's just the dropouts. All our other bikes are either front suspended or carbon fiber so, I've never had to deal with this problem b/4.

What do you guys do in this situation? Should I keep re painting the dropouts? Or just get a good rust inhibitor (sp?) and use in / on the drops outs frequently?

It's not unusual and you really don't "need" to do anything about it - it's a cosmetic issue and nothing more. If it'll make you feel better, go ahead and touch it up now and again with a nail polish that has a similar color to the lower part of your fork.

I'm only worried about rust on the exposed steel. I'll just keep it clean and treat it with some boeshield every now and again. Thanks for the reply Mark.

I don't think you have to worry too much, Brad. I've got two bikes puchased in 1989 with steel forks that long ago lost their paint on the dropouts (not to mention the paint is gone on the rear dropouts as well). I don't recall ever seeing any rust form on either bike's dropouts. I do, however, apply a little grease on them following a bike wash or if I take the wheel off to overhaul the hub.

BB