Specialized Allez SE
 

The transaction for the sale of my bike was not realized. It looks like the bike was crashed and the fork is a little bent. I didn't realize that, the bike is riding fine, but the BF member who should ship the bike realize that before. He has much more experience than me. Thanks.
I called the seller. He said he bought the bike at an estate sale, he doesn't know anything about the history of the bike and I believe him. He didn't look like a guy bike who is investing 1200$ in a new one or however the bike cost new.
Anyway the question is: "What should I do with the bike?"
- parting and make my money back
- looking to replace the fork and the left brake lever
- selling like this and how much should I ask
Any opinion is welcome, any new idea is welcome.
And another question: are the Suntour parts Superbe or Superbe Pro.
Thanks
And some pictures:

http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6v7gj7l7.jpg
http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8mkbsmfc.jpg
http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/...pses3qravb.jpg
http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/...psosmxgkaa.jpg
http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/...psvpx29fll.jpg
http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/...psfvkt2qby.jpg
http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/...psicradnzu.jpg

It's ridiculous how nice this bike is aside from the left brake lever and the left fork blade.

That's tough. The frame is worth something; the parts are clearly worth something.

What about this fork?
Vintage Specialized 1" Threaded Steel Road Bike Bicycle Fork Double Butted Crown

Looking forward to the answer. Does the same model/make/year have interchangeable forks?
Good luck. That's a nice looking bike.

too short, I need 7" long

Maybe. The steer tube looks like it could be too short. Boulder Bicycle has some nice Cinelli-esque NOS chrome forks in various steer tube lengths for sale, $99, and chrome goes with anthything, so you don't have to worry about having two different reds on the same bike.

Boulder: Tange ''medium'' Chrome Cinelli Style fork for 700c short reach brake racke bike NOS gorgeous chrome!

Boulder: Tange ''Large'' Chrome Cinelli Style fork for 700c short reach brake racke bike NOS gorgeous chrome!

Thanks for the idea!

I wonder if a framebuilder could straighten your fork.

Superbe Pro is clearly marked, yours is not Superbe Pro.
The last frame/fork work I had done was two years a go, unridable Reynolds bent 753r frame and bent fork tubing which is difficult (not impossible as commonly repeated on the web) was $80 to straighten the frame and cold set to 130mm and also straighten the fork. Both were done on imported Italian alignment tables from Marchetti. Total cost $80. Find a good frame builder and do that frame a favor, it will be a sweet ride for someone if not you.

Can you tell me which frame builders are in my area or close?

Check out this list:

Custom Frame Builders List by State/Country - The Paceline Forum

Franklin Frames is in Ohio (not sure how close to Cleveland) and has an excellent reputation. (If worse comes to worst, you could mail it. My Medici's fork is sitting in a USPS Priority Mail tube waiting for me to send it out to be rechromed.) I recognize Groovy, but not the others.

Unless you need the money I would put a new chrome fork in it and ride it. The Soma straight blade fork would look good on it

If the fork is the only damage, I'd plan to replace it. That fork on eBay is still a great possibility. It's a very common repair to lengthen a steel steerer. Any accomplished frame repair guy does that. But you should be able to find a nice Tange fork of that era that will work well. Match the paint and you're off and running.

Lot of good advices guys. I wish to find an original fork and replace it.

I made some researches about a Franklin bike I had. The prices are too big.:foo:

A number of framebuilders will not replace a steerer tube. The heat required to get the relatively massive steerer tube and fork crown up to working temperature three times (once to install the original steerer, once to remove the original steerer, and once to install the new steerer) has been known to weaken the area resulting in rather dramatic failure.
Brent

Maybe, but I didn't say replace. Big difference in lengthening, where they would cut off the steerer near the bottom, and insert a sleeve to add a new steerer portion. It's a common repair, but by the time you bought the replacement fork and paid someone to do it correctly, you'd be adding too much to the price of the bike. In this case, I'd find a suitable replacement and paint it red and go!

That eBay Specialized fork would be perfect if it were the correct length (and wasn't so chipped up).

I would also suggest scouring local bike co-ops if you have any around. LBS's would be a good idea too, especially ones that have been around for a while.

You could well make money on it by parting out, but that is a classic bike that needs saving, it's well worth it. Those Specialized sealed bearing hubs are sweet, easy to replace the bearings if needed (probably not). Superbe was no longer top of the line, but very close - and it shines up real purdy! The crankset (if Specialized) is worth good money, even if it has old-school Campy BCD. Drool...

I just came back from the local Bike Co-Op. Nothing there. I knew that they have for sale only low cheap parts at big money.
That eBay fork was exactly what I need, but too short.
At least my wife doesn't bother me anymore to sell it. I will keep the bike as is, no parting. Maybe i will find the original fork.
The crank set is Specialized.

What's the risk if I ride it like it is now?

You fall in love with the bike and can't bear to part it out...

If it tracks dead straight and it fits you, it's a worthy keeper.