1973 Raleigh Sports Has Bent Fork
02-03-13, 08:58 PM
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1973 Raleigh Sports Has Bent Fork
I purchased a 1973 Raleigh Sports that looked to be in good condition. The turning was stiff and I figured it just needed a headset overhaul. It turns out the fork is bent and cannot be repaired. My local bike shop had a fork of the same color, but unfortunately, it turned out to be too short. So, does anyone have any suggestions where I can find a root beer-colored fork for this bike that would fit a 23" frame? I'm sure there have to be dozens of old shops with this merchandise in the basement, but the problem is finding them! Thanks in advance, friends.--Jonathan
02-03-13, 10:06 PM
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Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Sports parts are usually not too hard to find...
02-03-13, 10:18 PM
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One would think so. In this case, the fork was bent forward, all the way up at the top (crown?) of the fork. I took it to the best shop in Chicago for vintage bikes, where they've been selling Raleighs for a good 40 years. I begged them to try to fix it but they said the location of the damage made it unfeasible.
02-03-13, 10:20 PM
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Best,
Jonathan
02-04-13, 06:55 AM
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JMargolin, I recommend against your plan. Waiting for that size and color will take a long time. Take him up on it. Go to a paint shop and have them match the color.
I agree that when a fork is bent at the steerer tube or fork crown, it's over.
I'll keep my eye out for a fork for you if you want. But the 23" frame is a bit on the rare side.
I agree that when a fork is bent at the steerer tube or fork crown, it's over.
I'll keep my eye out for a fork for you if you want. But the 23" frame is a bit on the rare side.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
02-04-13, 07:02 AM
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i have that same bike in the same color and size, but she is one of my prize possesions, really love riding her, hope you find a fork...
02-04-13, 08:23 AM
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+1 Take the deal on the fork. You can always just not paint it for a while, and see if you can find a matching one eventually. In the meantime, the replacement fork will get the bike back on the road.
02-04-13, 11:33 AM
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I used it new, 1974 to 1990. It was a narrow 5 speed, 52 to 86GIs, very poor. The head tube is 6 1/4.
The shifter was handle broke. I was tired of the cotter cranks also.
I squished the stays some with the kick stand. My brother then had it and used it some and botched a derailler fix.
The front fender is now on my hybrid, because my toe ripped the fender it had on.
The back fender is OK but scratched where the middle bracket slid around. I guess I could let it go.
The stem might be available later. The rims were still perfectly straight, but I threw the wheels out when I moved.
The shifter was handle broke. I was tired of the cotter cranks also.
I squished the stays some with the kick stand. My brother then had it and used it some and botched a derailler fix.
The front fender is now on my hybrid, because my toe ripped the fender it had on.
The back fender is OK but scratched where the middle bracket slid around. I guess I could let it go.
The stem might be available later. The rims were still perfectly straight, but I threw the wheels out when I moved.
02-04-13, 12:43 PM
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I would love to take you up on your offer (based on the kind advice of the other respondents), but it seems that your fork is different from the Raleigh Sports 3-speed. It doesn't have the dimples. Also, I could have sworn the head tube of my bike was 8 inches, not 6/14. Perhaps I'm not measuring it right, though.
Best,
Jonathan
02-04-13, 12:52 PM
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Good luck finding a fork for a 23" in that color. If you are looking it might be easier to find a whole bike -and not much more expensive, especially if it is a basket-case. Be sure the fork is OK though.
Easiest to repaint, or ditch altogether and put on a modern fork. You'll have to respace the fork or convert the axle as well as a new 24tpi headset.
Easiest to repaint, or ditch altogether and put on a modern fork. You'll have to respace the fork or convert the axle as well as a new 24tpi headset.
02-04-13, 01:03 PM
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You gonna eat that?
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I might have a fork in brown... How long is the steerer?
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
Last edited by Doohickie; 02-04-13 at 01:16 PM.
02-04-13, 04:01 PM
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Yes, my bike was the economy no name variety.
I measured between the headsets, which I could send along.
I would switch to a 100mm fork and hub, myself.
The main part of the frame is actually still pretty good.
I measured between the headsets, which I could send along.
I would switch to a 100mm fork and hub, myself.
The main part of the frame is actually still pretty good.
02-04-13, 08:23 PM
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02-05-13, 12:37 PM
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You gonna eat that?
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I'll take a look to see how long the one I have is. I wanted a crank for a project and the guy gave me the crank, the fork and a set of fenders. Do you need any fenders?
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
02-05-13, 01:02 PM
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One would think so. In this case, the fork was bent forward, all the way up at the top (crown?) of the fork. I took it to the best shop in Chicago for vintage bikes, where they've been selling Raleighs for a good 40 years. I begged them to try to fix it but they said the location of the damage made it unfeasible.
02-05-13, 07:49 PM
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They have a few stragglers you can buy, but I think their real value is working on old steel. I had a wicked bent derailleur hanger that 2 other shops said nothing could be done. Wastyn was able to get it perfectly aligned, and checked the rest of the frame as well. I also had a couple flat spots in a wheel they fixed too.
If anything, their store is a real museum for vintage schwinns; Mr. Wastyn actually built Paramounts for Schwinn at some point. You can see all the cool stuff hanging in their store : https://www.wastyn.com/About___Us.html
If anything, their store is a real museum for vintage schwinns; Mr. Wastyn actually built Paramounts for Schwinn at some point. You can see all the cool stuff hanging in their store : https://www.wastyn.com/About___Us.html
02-05-13, 09:41 PM
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EdgewaterDude, I went to Roberts Cycle Shop. They've been selling Raleighs long enough to remember when my 1973 Sports first came out. I hope to check out Oscar Wastyn's shop at your say-so.
02-05-13, 09:50 PM
#23
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I Have a Raleigh Fork that my fit your sports. It's not from a Sports model, but it is a Raleigh Fork. It's in nice shape. PM me if interested.
02-07-13, 09:00 PM
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Doohickie, did you check out the fork? BTW, I tried to PM you but I'm not a senior enough member of the forum to do so (just 38 more posts to go!).
