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Wanted park tool FT-4
- Thread starter buickmike
- Start date
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Well; although I had bought another fork- being the 37 type it was similar to 36. Igave up on original closed dropout 36 fork. Until today when I bought the FT-4.Now I can try to straighten 36 fork. IF I can buy the park tool to tweek the fork. FFS-2?
user 15387
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Should be FFS-2. Set up the FT-4 in the vise and mount the fork in the FT-4 so the crown is horizontal. Now you can run the FT-4 alignment gauge down the fork blades and see where the bend(s) are. I like to use the Frame and Fork-End alignment stick tools along with this rig - the FT-4 checks the alignment running down the blades, while the sticks check at the very end where the drops are. On an older, over-built steel fork like on most balloon tire bikes, a little off isn't the end of the world (in fact, many seemingly "perfect" old forks are off just a little bit). But large variations are addressed at the blades by the frame arm FFS tool and then at the drops with leverage on the fork end sticks.
Here it is in action.Haven't got the "sticks". The first fork we did was the toughest- flat blade 37 colson. Today gonna be 37 Schwinn. I say. We cause. I make sure guide doesn't get broken I let old timer pull on the leverage tH=full]91478[/
Leg The prewar Schwinn fork was splayed on one side- 1 leg was off 3/8. Finally had toput C clamp near top of legs and tighten. This pic shows diff in side to side. Got both straight. But when I checked against intended bike the OG had better paint albeit a chewed up head tube
