JJ Mango 

Hello,

I recently purchased a 1989 Bridgestone RB-1 frame. It has a nearly 21cm headtube and I’m having a very hard time finding a 1” steel fork. The new options from Soma are sold out everywhere, and everything used has been cut too short to work (or track forks with little/no rake).

I am open to both threaded and threadless. Paint color and condition does not matter as I’m considering a respray given the sorry state of the frame’s paint.

Does anyone have something that might work? Thanks in advance!

evwxxx

Presume you are looking for a Tange fork? Not sure what RB-1 used material wise, anyway forks can be had off eBay pretty commonly. For instance right now there is a 1” 700c fork for sale on eBay off an SR Semi Pro that clocks in at 225mm length, which should fit your needs. Not cheap at over 100 shipped, but probably better (lighter) tubing than some of the new cheap forks on eBay.

JJ Mango 

I thought I would need 245ish for a low stack headset. Not so?

USAZorro

I think you're correct. A Tange Levin has a stack height of 33.5mm.

evwxxx

Good point, stack height matters!

unworthy1

Tange Passage has about the lowest SH for a THREADED unit that are commonly found in today's marketplace, but if you are going to use threadless those typically are a bit shorter than threaded HS. However given the need for approx 50mm more steerer for the stem to clamp...

I actually have a red Bridgestone fork (in OK shape) but you'd need to get a taller steerer spliced on (it's from maybe a 55 or 56cm frame).
However I bought it cheap so would be selling cheap if you wanted to "play that game"

JJ Mango 

Excuse my ignorance, but what does that entail? Is this something an experienced frame builder would be willing to do, and is the integrity of the fork compromised at all?

There’s a new, primed Waterford lugged 1” fork with lots of steerer on eBay currently for $270 shipped. If buying and adding length to your fork will be cheaper than that, I would be very interested in your offer. Thanks!

SoCaled 

Don't know what your market is? but this is another situation where I might look for a donor bike. With the state of the bike market there are lots of nice used road bikes for Cheap. Lots of bikes midrange bikes had nice Tange forks and can be had for not much. Find one with rotten tires or beat up components might be real cheap. On the other hand might spend same amount or just a bit more than the cost for a new fork and get a whole nice bike with other parts to use/sell?

jdawginsc 

I have an aluminum brushed stem. I could measure it if you wish, though not sure you wish to go that route?

RustyJames 

You could ask here or on the framebuilders section if someone would be willing to swap in an appropriate length steerer tube on a fork of your choice.

unworthy1

splicing on a length of new steerer (of same diameter but can be threaded or not) is a common modification done by many frame builders and repair-ists. You'd need to find one local to you that has experience.

Here in SF Bay Area this job can cost close to $100 but we have high overhead. If done correctly there's no impact to the longevity of the fork.
I think I have some pix of the fork I'm offering let me see if I can find those, if not I can take more in a few days.

Rough calculations: I'd ask $20 for the fork, might cost $35 to ship, then add the cost of a good steerer splice,... could end up the 'hood of $155, but maybe less. More if you want paint

Nope: can't find the pix today, watch for an update.

EDIT: found the thread in which i asked for an ID and got one: it's most likely from a 1989 RB-1 Synergy, possibly from an RB-2, Pix are in here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...tone-fork.html

USAZorro

If there's a co-op in your area, take the frame and ask what they have. If that doesn't work, find a local bike shop (LBS) that's been in business for a while and also take the frame. I'm having difficulty imagining that what you are looking for is that scarce.

evwxxx

If you are located anywhere near Chicago (Schaumburg) there is a Panasonic DX2000 on Facebook with about a mile of steer tube listed for 100 bucks, probably a good donor!

Robvolz 

This came off of a specialized expedition, the touring bike that Jim Merz designed

JJ Mango 

Thanks! I’ll take it. I’ll send a PM with the relevant details.

I appreciate everyone’s help.

unworthy1

update: ^Jake (JJ Mango) elected to NOT buy that used Bridgestone fork, after all.


So if anybody comes across this thread and wants this fork (determined to be from a 1989 RB-1 Synergy or maybe a RB-2), PM me. (more pix in this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...tone-fork.html)
Shipping cost will depend on your location and the service used, but I'd still let 'er go for $20 to a fellow C&Ver (which was my cost IIRC)

UPDATE: sale pending on this fork SOLD

Iowegian

I have one that came off an RB-1. Not sure of the year but I think early 90's. More pictures here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/9tcttKZsyGQL1C4r6

I'm leaving town for a month on Monday so let me know quick if you're interested. $50 + shipping from 80301.

JJ Mango 

I would have sworn this steerer was 245+ from the above photo but I just received it and it measures 233. My fault, I should have verified, but alas it’s not going to be long enough. It’s a beautiful fork and if anyone encounters this thread and wants it, PM me and I’ll pass it along for what I paid.

evwxxx

Good grief Mango, you are just not having any luck at all!