Bent Steerer tube repair advice
- Thread starter Fe2O3
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I would just weld a new steer tube on there. You might be able to get it straightened out with Mr. Hammer, but I dont know if you could trust it from that point on. Hate to have it snap!
Maybe he can weld it himself. Or have a buddy that can weld it.
If you cant find anybody local... send it my way and I wont charge you anything.
If you cant find anybody local... send it my way and I wont charge you anything.
Ratfink1962 said:
Thank you Sir for the kind offer. If I do send it down you have to allow me to buy you lunch to repay the favor.
If the consencious is that a cold bend by hammer is too dangerous, then I would want to just R & R the Steer tube. I don't weld myself. I believe I read that the Steerer tube was brass soldered in? I'm not sure were to look for a steerer tube?
My goal for this bike is to keep as much of the origanal bike that I can. So, I'd like to salvage the fork if I can. However, I do plan to ride this bike so safety is important. :wink:
I've unbent these using a galvanized pipe before. This old stuff is soft, on a fork like that I've clamped the legs in a vise as close the the crown as possible then thread on some beat up bearing adjusters from old headsets to keep the steerer tube from blowing out. Put the pipe down to where the bend is and yank in the opposite direction.
My offer still stands, if you cant find a local guy to do it, I am more than happy to repair it.
No need on the lunch though. Just pay it forward.
PM for my address and stuff when your are ready.
No need on the lunch though. Just pay it forward.
PM for my address and stuff when your are ready.
I have straightened dozens like that. Clamp the steer tube in a vise using a vee block just behind the bend, pull evenly on the fork blades holding about halfway down, slow and steady with lots of power. Check the steer tube with a straight edge and then align the fork blades.
c.p.odom said:
thats how I do it..... :roll:
I actually have a lot of really nice OLD fork straightening/alignment tools, but I still won't bend things like that back. I suppose they used to do it all the time, since I have the tools, but it just scares me.
The next time that thing fails it could mean a trip to the dentist. But I guess this is Rat Rod Bikes... :lol: There are tons of Rat Rod Car that shouldn't be on the road either.
The next time that thing fails it could mean a trip to the dentist. But I guess this is Rat Rod Bikes... :lol: There are tons of Rat Rod Car that shouldn't be on the road either.
I might be a little worried about cold bending the steerer tube. If you know anybody with a torch then IMHO the best approach would be to heat it up and then bend it. As far as the part failing under load I think you have to consider what it took to bend the thing in the first place, and try to avoid that loading scenario in the future :mrgreen:
It works for Schwinnmesa :roll:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q7LmVSgIPk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q7LmVSgIPk
Gentleman thank you all for your wisdom. While my inner Caveman was all prepared to Hammer the tube back into spec, I've decided to
take Mitch up on his offer and R & R the Steerer Tube. This is a great site, you have all made me feel very welcome. Thank you!
take Mitch up on his offer and R & R the Steerer Tube. This is a great site, you have all made me feel very welcome. Thank you!
man the chipmunk voices in the video cracked me up ....LOL good stuff
The bumper jack method is VERY IMPRESSIVE! No need to fear doing this as the steel forks are extremely forgiving. I take them to my bike shop guy who has been fixing bikes for 35 years. He has the tools to do it right and jumps at the chance to use them! Many shops wont touch them anymore on account of maybe being sued. Good luck!
