fork problem.. advice?
 

so i recently bought a bike that i'm looking to make into a single speed. only problem is the fork is completely ruined. This causes my current problem which is finding a fork the same size. This one had a steerer tube length of about 6.25-6.3 inches (159-160mm). I cannot for the life of me find a fork with that size steer tube. Is there any way a slightly longer tube (like 6.5 inches) would work? any one have any ideas that could work here? Thank you!

is the fork threaded or threadless?

Also is it 1" or 1 1/8"? Shouldn't be any problem for you to locate almost any size of fork. Finding a exact replica may be tough depending on what you are looking for. What bike did the fork come off?

it is threaded and 1" diameter i believe. came off an old Crescent.

As long as the replacement fork is threaded far enough it can be cut shorter.

A fork that is too long can be cut down. We did that all the time back in my bike shop days. (It's hard to stretch a too-short fork. Got asked to do that a couple times.)
There's a couple other places a replacement fork might be incompatible. These can be worked around, but it could take an experienced (aka old fart) mechanic to figure them out.

Chrome plated & black painted forks are available at your LBS. Quality , J&B Importers , Torelli , Seattle Bike Supply and Hawley carry forks starting at around $60+.

Most threaded replacement forks have about 2" of thread. A typical headset and spacers needs something less than 1" or thread. That means you can buy a replacement fork slightly taller than yours and trim it without needing to extend the thread (which adds new problems0.

The dimensions you need to be concerned with are total length which has to be longer than yours, and the thread length. The unthreaded length (overall - thread length) has to equal your old fork's overall length less one to two inches.


BTW- many replacement forks are sold with tall steerers, with 4-5" of thread. This excess thread length can be a problem, (unless you're cutting it off anyway) because if you have more than 2" of thread the stem might not extend into the unthreaded area, increasing the risk of steerer breakage over time.