Re-united frame and fork: what are the odds?
04-16-16, 07:05 PM
#1
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Re-united frame and fork: what are the odds?
So, I bought a beat-up Waterford 1200 Series a couple months ago. The frame has some rust issues and had seized water bottle cage bolts. But definitely still usable. When I bought it the seller informed me that the fork was not original; Ok, the price was right, so I just bought it. The Seller did mentioned that maybe the bike shop that replaced the original fork with a carbon would have the old fork. It would be a one-in-a-million. Something like 10 years or so had past. Recently, I starting planning the re-build of this bike; slowly collecting a complete Ultegra/105 group set to use. I noticed the shop sticker where the bike was sold, 2 hours away from me. So, I called the shop. The owner answered; I told him the story and asked about the fork. The shop owner actually recalled the bike; the former frame owner was a regular customer. The shop owner said it was highly unlikely he had the fork. He was ready to end the conversation; I asked "please, can you just poke around and see it you have the fork". I got an email a week later with a photo of my fork!!! He found it. I drove up there today; spent over 4 hours round trip. But, I got the fork back. So, the story is not over yet because there is a seized stem in the fork. I am going to try and cut it with a hack saw from the inside. Wish me luck, I will need it. Miracles happen sometimes, I guess.
04-16-16, 07:14 PM
#2
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Nice luck. Enjoy.
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04-16-16, 07:30 PM
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Well, at least a stuck stem is a better reason for a replacement fork than front end damage. Awesome that you were able to get it.
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04-16-16, 07:41 PM
#4
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now I need to carefully, thoughtfully, slowly attack the stem issue.
Last edited by vintagerando; 04-16-16 at 07:42 PM. Reason: sp
04-16-16, 08:11 PM
#5
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Take your time - it's already been 10 years.
04-16-16, 08:30 PM
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I would think you have many other options before you start cutting, especially since the fork and stem are not attached to the bike. I say this because cutting is very time consuming.
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04-16-16, 08:50 PM
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Funny story, OP. Glad you got the original fork. I hate how so many used frames are sold without a fork.
04-16-16, 09:06 PM
#8
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When you get the stuck stem out we will forgive you for the non- drive side shots!
Should be no problem, little time with the hack saw.
Nice looking frame !
Should be no problem, little time with the hack saw.
Nice looking frame !
04-16-16, 10:18 PM
#9
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Well, the shop owner claims to have tried "everything". I tried to pin him down on what here tried; he said heating it and also soaking in PB Blaster. So, my thoughts were trying to cut it out
04-16-16, 10:35 PM
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I haven't tried it, but you might consider lye (sodium hydroxide) on the stem.
04-17-16, 12:53 AM
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I would try to use penetrating oil on the stem and cautious use of heat and be patient. I like kroil. You may want to heat up the fork and ice up the stem after the heating. Good luck
04-17-16, 02:09 AM
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I don't know about the odds but it was definitely a long shot. Great to be able to bring the fork home. I appreciate stuff than matches and is meant to be.
Working on the stem should be low stress, you are lucky to have the issue. Just take your time.
Working on the stem should be low stress, you are lucky to have the issue. Just take your time.
04-17-16, 08:06 AM
#14
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If nothing else, send it to a frame shop and have them put a new steerer on it. It is a Waterford.
04-17-16, 08:23 AM
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Stick the fork in the freezer for 24 hours and try again.
I have a similar story associated with my Trek 760 from 1984. It didn't come with the original fork, which some of you know is unique. I found one on ebay that was not only the right one but the right length and in the town near where I live. The story is here starting with post 86. Some of the pictures are gone due to changes int he image but the story is there. Needle in a haystack.
I have a similar story associated with my Trek 760 from 1984. It didn't come with the original fork, which some of you know is unique. I found one on ebay that was not only the right one but the right length and in the town near where I live. The story is here starting with post 86. Some of the pictures are gone due to changes int he image but the story is there. Needle in a haystack.
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04-17-16, 08:59 AM
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04-17-16, 09:43 AM
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I bought a frame and fork cheap off eBay as the stem was stuck in the fork. The stem had been decapitated to remove the fork and harvest the headset...
I drilled a 5/16" hole perpindicular through the stem after knocking the expansion bolt down a bit. A heavy application of Kroil and set the fork so gravity would help the creep. Next day took a suitably large long Phillips screwdriver through the cross hole and "whaaack" it broke free. Total time, less than ten minutes plus the overnight soak.
Good story and good luck, had the fork not had the problem I suspect it would be long gone.
I drilled a 5/16" hole perpindicular through the stem after knocking the expansion bolt down a bit. A heavy application of Kroil and set the fork so gravity would help the creep. Next day took a suitably large long Phillips screwdriver through the cross hole and "whaaack" it broke free. Total time, less than ten minutes plus the overnight soak.
Good story and good luck, had the fork not had the problem I suspect it would be long gone.
04-17-16, 09:59 AM
#18
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Thread Starter
I bought a frame and fork cheap off eBay as the stem was stuck in the fork. The stem had been decapitated to remove the fork and harvest the headset...
I drilled a 5/16" hole perpindicular through the stem after knocking the expansion bolt down a bit. A heavy application of Kroil and set the fork so gravity would help the creep. Next day took a suitably large long Phillips screwdriver through the cross hole and "whaaack" it broke free. Total time, less than ten minutes plus the overnight soak.
Good story and good luck, had the fork not had the problem I suspect it would be long gone.
I drilled a 5/16" hole perpindicular through the stem after knocking the expansion bolt down a bit. A heavy application of Kroil and set the fork so gravity would help the creep. Next day took a suitably large long Phillips screwdriver through the cross hole and "whaaack" it broke free. Total time, less than ten minutes plus the overnight soak.
Good story and good luck, had the fork not had the problem I suspect it would be long gone.
04-17-16, 10:15 AM
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@avintagerando - Well I would yous a vice instead a vase!
Grab the fork by the crown and use blocks of wood between the fork and the jaws. If necessary, take two pieces of wood and drill a 1 inch hole between the two then clamp the steerer between. You may have to remove some material between the two pieces or space them with a 1/8" thick piece of wood to introduce the spacing needed for appropriate clamp grip.
instead a vase! Grab the fork by the crown and use blocks of wood between the fork and the jaws. If necessary, take two pieces of wood and drill a 1 inch hole between the two then clamp the steerer between. You may have to remove some material between the two pieces or space them with a 1/8" thick piece of wood to introduce the spacing needed for appropriate clamp grip.
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04-17-16, 10:39 AM
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The fact that the frame and fork managed to end up reunited tells me you'll be able to get that stem out. It's just meant to be. 
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04-17-16, 10:53 AM
#21
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Hot Damn! That bike looks fun!
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04-17-16, 12:12 PM
#23
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This bike was one of three I bought from a CL seller. I bought them as a package. Re-Sold one bike already on CL. I have a Suntour Superbe groupset I wil be posting in CV Sales shortly. I have put together an Ultegra/ 105 mix group from past purchases. After various purchases and resales, I will have maybe $100-150 into this build. (not including compsumables:cables, tires, brake pads). The big unknown is the seized stem issue.
