Is there supposed to be a cap on the inside of the fork?
10-12-23, 11:30 AM
#1
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Is there supposed to be a cap on the inside of the fork?
I checked a bicycle of mine and the front fork has a lot of rust in the area at the very center. Is there supposed to be a weather sealant cap of some sort there?
Last edited by adlai; 10-12-23 at 11:36 AM.
10-12-23, 11:47 AM
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Doubtful that any sort of cap would prevent rust, in fact more likely to contribute to it owing to lack of ventilation.
If you don't want rust forming you want to protect the metal in some fashion. Paint, powder coat, even a healthy coating of wax or grease up in there will help once extant rust has been cleaned out.
Or be diligent in preventing / removing moisture from remaining in place once it finds its way in there. Low humidity storage helps a lot as does a layer of physical protection that doesn't trap moisture against the metal underneath.
In the Periodic Table of Elements, oxygen (O) and iron (Fe) are just made to come together whenever and wherever they possibly can.
If you don't want rust forming you want to protect the metal in some fashion. Paint, powder coat, even a healthy coating of wax or grease up in there will help once extant rust has been cleaned out.
Or be diligent in preventing / removing moisture from remaining in place once it finds its way in there. Low humidity storage helps a lot as does a layer of physical protection that doesn't trap moisture against the metal underneath.
In the Periodic Table of Elements, oxygen (O) and iron (Fe) are just made to come together whenever and wherever they possibly can.
10-12-23, 04:03 PM
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I have full fenders on my bikes so it helps to prevent most of the road spray from getting inside...but even if you don't have fenders don't worry about it.
10-12-23, 04:07 PM
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have never seen on in over 60 years of fiddling with bikes
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(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
10-12-23, 04:18 PM
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Might have been better to show us the fork on the bike that has the rust. That looks almost pristine.
Rust is not the big issue many think it is. Usually it's just surface rust on the unpainted parts of steel tubing. And leaving that hole open will let moisture out and keep if from pitting the steel which would be a bad thing. If you look around on steel bikes, you might find some small holes on the bottom of the stays, BB, inside near the fork ends and elsewhere. Those are weep holes. Again, so moisture can get out and not cause issues other than surface rust which is no dander at all. Surface rusting on some things is actually desired and considered a preservative.
Rust is not the big issue many think it is. Usually it's just surface rust on the unpainted parts of steel tubing. And leaving that hole open will let moisture out and keep if from pitting the steel which would be a bad thing. If you look around on steel bikes, you might find some small holes on the bottom of the stays, BB, inside near the fork ends and elsewhere. Those are weep holes. Again, so moisture can get out and not cause issues other than surface rust which is no dander at all. Surface rusting on some things is actually desired and considered a preservative.
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10-14-23, 07:59 PM
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10-15-23, 05:37 AM
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My 50 year old Peugeot has a wood plug hammered into the bottom of the steerer tube.
