longevity of 531 forks
04-05-10, 02:22 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
longevity of 531 forks
Hi there
I have had a Reynolds 531 frame and forks since 1988, made for me in Canberra by a frame builder Keith Davis.
It still rides well, most running gear having been replaced a few times and has probably done 100,00kms.
The frame has always been well maintained, not left to corrode, etc. The past 20 years have been in Adelaide away from the sea, and usually quite dry so corrosion is not an issue. Every year or so I spray a bit of rust inhibitor down the holes in the forks.
I just get the jitters sometimes riding along looking at the thin Reynolds forks and wonder about their life-expectancy....and indirectly my own.
Any advice?
Chris Holmwood
I have had a Reynolds 531 frame and forks since 1988, made for me in Canberra by a frame builder Keith Davis.
It still rides well, most running gear having been replaced a few times and has probably done 100,00kms.
The frame has always been well maintained, not left to corrode, etc. The past 20 years have been in Adelaide away from the sea, and usually quite dry so corrosion is not an issue. Every year or so I spray a bit of rust inhibitor down the holes in the forks.
I just get the jitters sometimes riding along looking at the thin Reynolds forks and wonder about their life-expectancy....and indirectly my own.
Any advice?
Chris Holmwood
04-05-10, 10:56 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,331
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,173 Times
in
1,754 Posts
Folks are still riding blades made in the fifties. Usually not the original owners who crapped out long before the forks did, but I know of one bike and rider still together for all 50+ years.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
04-06-10, 12:30 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Likes: 0
Liked 1,099 Times
in
745 Posts
One major advantage of steel (and Ti) is that their "fatigue life" is nearly ifinite if they aren't abused or regularly overloaded so your fork hould be good for decades to come if ridden "normally". Accident damage, of course, changes everything.
04-06-10, 09:03 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Fife Scotland
Posts: 2,053
Bikes: Airnimal Chameleon; Ellis Briggs; Moulton TSR27 Moulton Esprit
Liked 827 Times
in
583 Posts
I rode an old 60' Carlton frame and forks in 531and had it repainted by Mercian many years ago. It's still being ridden and looks a treat.
04-13-10, 05:46 AM
#8
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
thanks
thanks everyone, reassuring advice.
No they haven't been abused...but then again I am not obsessional about maintenance.
Has been repainted once. Maybe needs blasting and powder coating.....some day.
Cheers Chris
No they haven't been abused...but then again I am not obsessional about maintenance.
Has been repainted once. Maybe needs blasting and powder coating.....some day.
Cheers Chris
04-13-10, 02:11 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
Likes: 0
Liked 34 Times
in
28 Posts
They should even outlast you (if you do not crash them or let them rust) as many thousands of other 531 forks have also outlasted their owners through the years...RIP......
Chombi
Chombi
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
frabu
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
15
12-24-17 09:50 AM
jo1010
Classic & Vintage
10
07-31-12 07:25 AM
