need some recommendations concerning a replacement fork.....
 

I got a waterlogged Black Lightning last spring. After weeks of trying every trick to remove a seized stem, I have given up. I've searched ebay and the bigger online sources, but I've come up with only a handful of choices for a replacement fork. Where else should I look?

Steel, aluminum or carbon?

Also: what year and size Black Lightning?

I was looking at catalogs recently, and the fork rake on the Criterium series frames varied by size.

Less rake than many road forks. Looking at the '88 catalogs, 1.5" rake on most frame sizes...so 38mm rake/offset? That's limiting your options right there.

Carbon wouldn't look out of place, IMHO. Maybe a 40mm Ouzo Pro or Kestrel? Used, and even sometimes NOS, can be had at reasonable prices...

For steel options, Soma has a Tange Prestige Track fork ($180) and a Pake Unicrown Track fork ($100) w/38mm rake. Both avail in 1", but threadless only. Must be threaded equivalents out there if desired...

You may have other ideas, no doubt.

Ahhh...
Cannondale Black Lightening
Aluminum frame with Chrome-Moly steel fork.

It looks like it should be a pretty standard steel fork. Chrome ones are a dime-a-dozen, and could be painted to match.

I agree that a carbon fiber fork would look nice, either "natural", or painted black. I think Bike Nashbar has both 1" steel and CF forks, but you may get better deals on E-Bay (better quality, although perhaps more battered).

I haven't dealt with 1" threadless, but that is a possibility too.

POST PHOTOS OF WHAT YOU'RE WORKING WITH, AND THE OLD FORK.

What have you tried? Is the fork still in one piece?

Yes.......

I would like to replace it with a quality steel fork like it had. The original fork is now twisted and still has the lower half of the seized stem in it. Its beyond my talents (or desire) to save now.

Thumpic, This has been used on at least a couple of other's builds: Nashbar Carbon 1-in Threaded Road Fork .

Brad

This a great excuse to buy a new carbon fork. Go for it.

I have a nice 80s Klein fork in black I'm not using. Some suggestions as to the model are suggested in the link below. I'm not a Klein expert and am not exactly sure what model it's from but it does seem like a nice fork from one of their top end models. I've been meaning to put it up for sale, but haven't gotten around to it. Columbus steel, Suntour Superbe Pro tips, nice condition. What size do you need? I could measure the steerer. Shoot me a PM if interested.

http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...name-fork.html


http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...psa143aaa4.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps6a5c6c3b.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7812dfb2.jpg

Fork that guy! ;)