Straightening a steel bike fork?

[porsche4life]

I've been lightly browsing vintage frames to pick up for a town bike project. This old AD popped up and has my interest, but the listing says it has a slight bend in the fork. Is that something that is repairable?

What do you guys think this frame is worth?

_ Vintage AUSTRO-DAIMLER SE Frameset ___

[Jim Bremner]

es, no yes.

imagine a paper clip once it's bent it is never the same.

if its just a townie, a shop thats been in biz 25 year might have the tool.

[porsche4life]

Kinda what I figured.....

Whats the chance of finding a replacement fork and cost?

[gtc]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Kinda what I figured.....

Whats the chance of finding a replacement fork and cost?

Finding a [non-matching] replacement fork would not be too difficult.

That said, I wouldn't bother with that frame.

[Tim Hancock]

I would straighten that "slight bend" in the fork in about 5 minutes and never think of it again.

[look 171]

Depending how bad the fork is bend? Have a look at the top and down tube a few inched right behind the head tube to see if they are damaged. A head on can really whack things out of alignment. Sure it can straighten, but at how much?

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

I would straighten that "slight bend" in the fork in about 5 minutes and never think of it again.

Exactly !

[afterburn 549]

its kinked ! anything can be fixed..but.....it will have to be heated...fillled with sand...pounded and shaped to expand it again....the bend part is EZ
IF it was not kinked.....PC of cake

[85eurocarrera]

Originally Posted by gtc

That said, I wouldn't bother with that frame.

Me either.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by gtc

Finding a [non-matching]

That said, I wouldn't bother with that frame.

Care to elaborate as to why?

And what should I be looking for? I figure for a townie its not uber critical. I just want a good frame to build up..

[Jim Bremner]

How tall are you? If you're 6'2" or so it might fit.

[porsche4life]

I'm 6ft even...

[John Rogers]

I used to have a fork tool that was used to restore forks when they got bent back from a crash which used to happen many times in the days of steel frame bikes. The front forks on English and Italian bikes were always bent when the steel was cold and then stress relieved. Not sure about the French bikes as the only one I had was the first year they made the alloy/glued together frames and the front fork on that one was aluminum and could not be straightened.

A shop that works on vintage bikes should be able to help you out.

[jim72911t]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

I'm 6ft even...

I'm about 5'11" and I'm comfortable on a 56-57cm road frame. My boss is maybe a tad over 6'0" and he prefers a 58cm frame. FWIW, two guys that I work with are both around 6'4" and they ride 62's. (Why do I know so much about my coworkers frame sizes? I work in the bike industry, and we all ride to work )

Long story shorter: That frame is way too big for you, especially for a townie.

I wouldn't have too much concern over a "slightly" bent steel fork. Steel can be cold worked in small increments with relative ease.

Now, be honest with us: You're looking to build a fixie outa that thing, right (Not complaining, as fixed gear stuff probably pays half my salary!)

edit: figures that my 911th post would have to be in a bike thread

[85eurocarrera]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Care to elaborate as to why?

And what should I be looking for? I figure for a townie its not uber critical. I just want a good frame to build up..

Just figured you can find something without any issues for the $. Then again, it's crazy what some people are asking for used bikes these days.

Also, thought the frame was a bit big for you based on your other bike threads.

[bkreigsr]

any good bike shop that caters to racers will have a decent jig in the back.
recommend you bring the whole frame in and have it checked and aligned.
if the fork is showing a bend, chances are that the frame got tweaked elsewhere.
Bill K

[Flieger]

I don't see the kink or the bend. I would say it can be repaired.

Guess you got the 1 star for your avatar?

[vash]

that frame is huge..you are gonna mash your nuts.

[David]

I've straightened fork tubes and riden the bike for years after. The bend needs to be pretty slight though.