Bridgestone Fork Swap ???
 

Hey all, first post on BF.
I've been overhauling my '91 Bridgestone RB-T (59cm) and have a question about swapping the fork. I just installed a new wheelset that's 4mm wider (14mm to 18mm internal) than what was on it and everything was going great until I went to adjust the front brakes (Paul Touring Cantis) and realized the fork is too narrow. I swapped the spacers around on the pads in every possible position but the fork is just too narrow. Also, the new VO fenders I just installed (45mm) are still (after several hours of finagling) rubbing slightly in the front tire (35mm). I normally wouldn't sacrifice the integrity of a classic frame-set, but at this point I'm heavily invested ($$$$) in this build.

M​​​y question is: will the Bassi Montreal V3 Fork* fit on my frame?
***It won't let me post a link to the fork

Regards to photos: my other bikes are all silvered out so I wanted to do a little retro-black on this one.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f094a268c.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...de2c14717.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...207ca2744.jpeg

I'd be attacking the brake arms with a file and shaving pieces off the mudguard before changing out the original fork.

This kind of problem isn't uncommon. I have had to install two different brands of canti arms on repairs before because the bosses had different C-C dimensions, front compared to rears. One Bridgestone had rear posts about 82ish mms apart and the fronts were closer to 70ish. I tried about 5 different cantis on the front before I found the least problematic and that needed no further mods. This also was motivated by a rim width increase (new pair of rims) to support wider tires.

At some point the efforts and mods to fit more current parts on bikes designed around older understandings become more than the rider wants to do, or pay for. Andy.

A likely issue, common in older bikes, is the canti post mounting is narrower than bikes now.

​​​​​​https://velo-orange.blogspot.com/201...izing-psa.html

​​​​​​https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...rrow-fork.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...ary-reach.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...​​

from what i see, the lack of adjustment range with the Paul brakes is the problem.? .. and the pivot cups shown in the top pic can be moved around to move the pads out further... put the thicker cups on the outside, thinner cups against the pads....

i'd begin by getting the pads out a bit further, then start working on those overpriced brake arms to achieve more adjustment range, if needed. ;)

there's a lot to be said for the old Post Mount Pads being more versatile.. but they are a pain to get set up.

Koolstop Mountain Pads might give more room...
search: Pack of 2 Pairs, Kool-Stop Mountain V-Brake Pads Threaded Post, Black and Salmon

Sometimes a narrower rim is the simple solution.