The old fork was the old trek style with the straight crown and curved legs. It had all kinds of tire clearance for fenders and what not with 27" wheels. The new fork is probably a 700c fork. It actually has less rake than the old one as well, so it makes it more stable, but the increased headtube angle negates a little of that.

The frame's top tube and downtube are straight, but there's a dent in one of them from the truck's fender. But it's straight. I turned the frame into a fixed gear because of its err... sordid past. It's not really in the best shape, but I still like it. I rode it around a little and it seems to track straight, and I can ride no hands without any unintended lean.

I'm not trying to make up 15mm, I'm just trying to add a couple mm to it. I have a 13mm lower stack height now, so anything over that would be good.

Regarding the needle bearings headset, would this fit the bill?
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...17&category=98