TREK 400: $100 ~ Fork Bent?
04-17-19, 09:41 AM
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TREK 400: $100 ~ Fork Bent?
thinking about getting this. I have a 420 I like, but it's a bit small. This should be a better size for me. But that fork looks off.
bent fork?
bent fork?
04-17-19, 10:02 AM
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04-17-19, 10:21 AM
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How can you tell from that angle? It doesn't look all that off to me.
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04-17-19, 10:38 AM
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If you look at where the wheels are in relation to each other on the ground you can see the front end is just slightly to the left of center, which means the fork is turned ever so slightly to the right. This would definitely make the fork look "off" if you think you're looking at a perfectly straight on side shot.
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04-17-19, 11:18 AM
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Bad example
FWIW if that fork is bent, it is very slight and can be bent back.
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04-17-19, 11:43 AM
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04-17-19, 12:29 PM
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It looks bent but what the heck, pretty much every fork we see looks bent. There's just something about pics online that make forks look bent. It must be the gods of bike forums doing this to mess with our minds, 
Last edited by bikemig; 04-17-19 at 12:43 PM.
04-17-19, 12:41 PM
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I would look closely at the areas below the head tube lugs on the top and down tubes that is where you often see paint issues as a result of the front end crash
04-17-19, 01:04 PM
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If the fork is bent, it's slight and can usually be repaired.
For me, the bigger question is, are the wheels a matching set? No one wants mismatched wheels, which might indicate a front end collision. When I've purchased a bike with mismatched wheels, I've always been prepared to acquire a matching set for it, even for those I flip.
For me, the bigger question is, are the wheels a matching set? No one wants mismatched wheels, which might indicate a front end collision. When I've purchased a bike with mismatched wheels, I've always been prepared to acquire a matching set for it, even for those I flip.
04-17-19, 02:00 PM
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i got additional photos. I think the turned wheel was the reason it looked odd. the opposite side ford was visible, making the angle of the fork look wonky.
As far as the wheels go, I can't quite tell if they match or no. But looking at the '83 catalog, it would have had QR hubs, not these bolt on thingys.
1983 Trek Bicycle Brochure Part I - Racing Bikes
Probably I'll make an offer - see if he has any wiggle room since I'm a big whiny baby and don't want to drive 45 min one way.
It would be nice to size up from the TREK 420 I have now. And it looks to be the same frame material (mangalloy from Japan).
ahhhhh. .. that's better!
As far as the wheels go, I can't quite tell if they match or no. But looking at the '83 catalog, it would have had QR hubs, not these bolt on thingys.
1983 Trek Bicycle Brochure Part I - Racing Bikes
Probably I'll make an offer - see if he has any wiggle room since I'm a big whiny baby and don't want to drive 45 min one way.
It would be nice to size up from the TREK 420 I have now. And it looks to be the same frame material (mangalloy from Japan).
ahhhhh. .. that's better!
04-17-19, 03:10 PM
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I really dug my 84 420.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
04-17-19, 04:10 PM
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Go see it and check for ripples at the headlugs, then eye the fork in person.
Remember, depending on the company, the blade taper could go anywhere. Some Raleigh Grand Prix models have blades that taper backwards from the crown, as the rear taper of the blade was made flush with the crown. Looks terrible, but that's how they were built.
-Kurt
Remember, depending on the company, the blade taper could go anywhere. Some Raleigh Grand Prix models have blades that taper backwards from the crown, as the rear taper of the blade was made flush with the crown. Looks terrible, but that's how they were built.
-Kurt
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04-17-19, 04:48 PM
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it looks perfectly fine to me. and $100 forget about it and buy it.
04-17-19, 11:59 PM
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04-18-19, 05:51 AM
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@jetboy - seriously thinking about it. It's an inch bigger than the one I have, which would be nice. I'm always amazed these nicely made, Japanese lugged frames don't sell for more and for faster, but I'm biased..... of course. It's the C&V forums! ha!
04-18-19, 05:56 AM
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In my case it is rare that derailleurs are the same front and rear. Brake calipers can vary too. Shoes and brake levers tend to match.
