Hello,
I recently had FEDEX damage a mid-80s Falcon Triathlon Success (531DB) in transit. I placed a damage claim and FEDEX paid up. The damage was to the top tube and I figured it was worth fixing. I took the frame to a local frame-builder who was able to fix the top tube and align the frame without issues. But to my surprise, it was discovered that the fork steerer had been ground down in the lower part, right next to the crown race. I measured .5mm taken off the tube in the worst area. It is very noticeable to touch. See the picture. I have no idea why someone would do this; by all appearences this came from the factory like that (the bike was bone stock and barely ridden as far as I could see). I can probably find a cheap replacement fork, but I hate to throw away the original fork. So, if anyone has seen something like this and is positive that it would be ok to ride the bike with this fork, please say so. Myself, I'm strongly leaning to use a replacement fork even if it will not quite match the bike and it will not be all original.

thanks in advance for your collective wisdom and insights