Hi,

Let's try this another way. Quote, "I paid $40 for the thing so if I have to put a couple hundred bucks in it to get it where I want it I'm not gonna be upset." You could have bought a brand new bike of similar quality for $249 shipped:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._al_xi_sc1.htm

My department store reference meant that trying to find a replacement fork (and probably parts) will be very difficult, if not impossible. The frame and fork are the two most valuable parts on that bike and probably both are bent since it is almost impossible to bend the fork that much without bending the frame. I am not and would not suggest that you buy a high end road bike given your stated needs. However, you could have done much better for "a couple of hundred bucks" used or new.