Change my fork?
 

I brought my Raleigh Super Course to my LBS to get the Bottom bracket taken out, and I asked em about the fork on my frame...explained to them that it doesn't look original according to the early 70's catalogs, and there's no identifying marks on it.

They showed me the top of the steer tube and pointed out the hacksaw marks from where it had been trimmed...told me it was a late 70's - early 80's japanese steel fork.

The fork looks fine, is true and its fully chromed..so there's no real reason to replace it, but if I wanted to get something made of Alloy what would I look for?

I'd suggest you scour ebay for something, alloy road forks arent really super common, you can probably find something by kinesis, maybe something made outta 6061 alloy. Are you using nutted brakes? Virtually all aluminum fork will be drilled for recessed nutting just cause of the era they started being produced.

yeah my brakes have a thru bolt with a nut on em. Really looking for steel rather than aluminum..preferrbaly lugged.

and while I'm thinking wishfully I'd like the lugs to look like they match well with the frame

I found some suggestions searching the forums and found this

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=3617

It comes in 150mm threaded, 200mm threaded, and 250mm threaded. How do I figure out whats right for my bike? like what do I have to measure on my existing fork?

SuperCourse's aren't that rare; but unless someone has trashed a frame and not the fork, you're not likely to find just a fork.

I'd suggest you take your existing fork to the powedercoater who's doing your frame, and ask if they can do a 12" section of the fork blades, leaving the crown and the tips chrome. If they can do that, it'll look pretty good even if the crown doesn't really match the frame lugs.

By the way, your rear brake is boxed up and addressed, I just haven't had a chance to go to the post office! --Rudi

Thanks a bunch rudi :thumb:

To be honest I haven't decided if I'm gonna keep the chrome on the rear triangle yet either...I've given myself until the decals show up to decide:lol:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=3617

It comes in 150mm threaded, 200mm threaded, and 250mm threaded. How do I figure out whats right for my bike? like what do I have to measure on my existing fork?



any help would be mucho appreciated.

double . oops.

Before changing your fork (why, I don't know), perhaps you might want to pin-down the date of your Super Course a bit more? Have a photo of it?

Take care,

-Kurt

Its a 71 super course.

here's a pic
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1219954067

The fork that is on there is not original, its a steel replacement fork. I'd like to replace it (thats' right, replace the replacement) with a CrMo one that I've located. Specifically, this one http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=3617

I can order it in 3 lengths 150mm, 200mm and 250mm. I just want to know how to measure my existing fork so I know what length to order.


***EDIT***

to be more specific, the length I'm after is the Steerer Tube Length.

I'm confused. The bike already has a generic Japanese steel replacement fork, right? Why do you want a different generic Japanese steel replacement fork?

because Why not? :D

I've got the 25 bux to spare and the new fork has rack bosses.

seriously though. Why not?

And, to answer the question, measure the current steerer tube in mm, then buy the fork most close to that measurement but always taller (you can't make it grow more!) and then have it cut to proper size. So, if you needed a 140mm fork, buy the 150mm. If you need a 165mm fork, buy the 200, not the 150...
The original fork on that supercourse would have been painted the same color as the bike on the upper 1/2 or so, and then chrome for the remainder down to the tip. Not sure how a new black fork will look with the current color, but thats up to you!

THANK YOU! :thumb:

Currently the bike is completely apart and the frame is totally stripped to be repainted next week. If I order this fork I'll be getting it painted to match the frame



So seriously.... why not?

If you are painting the bike and fork anyway, the chrome fork could be painted as easily as a new one, presuming the painter did a little more work and "scuffed up" the chrome so it would hold paint better. Guess people just wonder why buy new if you already have a servicible fork in hand.

I hear ya,

Really I've only got minor reasons for a new one: Front Rack Bosses and 100mm Front Hub spacing. The fork I have now is 96mm and has no rack bosses.

Minor chit I know, but my thinking is that i've spent a decent amount of time on this and I don't want to compromise on what I want for just 30 bux. OTOH If I decide to keep the chrome on the rear triangle I'll probably ask the painter to mask off the lower ends of the fork and paint the top portion so it looks more like the original.

I'm just not decided on whether to keep the chrome on the rear triangle or to paint it over. The bike will be cream color with brown outlining on the lugs...unless I have a serious change of heart and go with Green and and gold lining on the lugs.

If the chrome on the rear triangle is in good shape, I say keep it. Again, if you are painting over exposed smooth chrome, the painter will have to roughen it up in order to get the paint to stick good, and sometimes even then it is problematical.

Cool thanks for the info and the replies, much appreciated. :thumb: