Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,383
Likes: 3,227
From: NW Oregon
Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike
the "gouges" are from the original material forming process.... the bike is over 50 years old... the fork is still not cracking.
ride it.
or go dig around at a few Co-op shops for a matching steerer length fork, sand and paint it to match the faded 50 year old paint, then realize you just spent more on the fork than the rest of the bike is worth because of unwarranted fear.