Opinions on this fork
12-13-18, 02:27 PM
#1
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Opinions on this fork. Updated pics...
1984 Trek 620, little over an hour away. I’m wanting to check it out this weekend, but I’m curious about the fork rake. Normal, bent or weird pic? Thanks
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Last edited by sloar; 12-14-18 at 08:40 PM.
12-13-18, 02:49 PM
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Are you thinking it might be bent forward??
Kinda looks like it, but most likely not, .......unless maybe the owner was doing wheelies and banging down the front end on the pavement after each.....
Kinda looks like it, but most likely not, .......unless maybe the owner was doing wheelies and banging down the front end on the pavement after each.....
Last edited by Chombi1; 12-13-18 at 02:57 PM.
12-13-18, 02:51 PM
#3
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Looks like a chopper in the first pic.
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12-13-18, 02:52 PM
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Looks like maybe mismatch wheels, another clue? 
12-13-18, 03:24 PM
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12-13-18, 03:29 PM
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12-13-18, 03:30 PM
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Bent has my vote. I would check it out anyway.
12-13-18, 03:50 PM
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I asked the seller for a better side view pic. I’ll post it if I get one.
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12-13-18, 04:22 PM
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I'm also with the bent opinion.
It may be a bent steer tube.
I'd ask the seller if the steering is tight, and has equal resistance when turning from side to side, and straight ahead.
Bar end shifters, and a few other goodies, and you have some value in the component groupset.
It may be a bent steer tube.
I'd ask the seller if the steering is tight, and has equal resistance when turning from side to side, and straight ahead.
Bar end shifters, and a few other goodies, and you have some value in the component groupset.
12-13-18, 05:23 PM
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That’s bent real good. A bit too much curb hopping perhaps.
12-13-18, 05:25 PM
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Broken steerer perhaps. Don't look right.
12-13-18, 10:15 PM
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I think its bent. Joints in the concrete look straight, Headtube / stem looks like it lines up, Staight frame tubes look straight and wheels look round...
12-14-18, 04:52 AM
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Bent steerer
Kid curb hopping. 
Used to see it a lot on cheap gas pipe department store bikes in the 70's. Also Firenze bikes from normal riding!
Maybe an unexpected drop off the road? Garage door?
The steerer is bent forward and the headset maybe trashed, especially if it is a plastic Stronglight B10.
verktyg
Used to see it a lot on cheap gas pipe department store bikes in the 70's. Also Firenze bikes from normal riding!
Maybe an unexpected drop off the road? Garage door?
The steerer is bent forward and the headset maybe trashed, especially if it is a plastic Stronglight B10.
verktyg
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Last edited by verktyg; 12-15-18 at 07:37 AM.
12-14-18, 01:31 PM
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Wasn't there a Trek model that had a history of the fork crown cracking and breaking in that forward direction?
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12-14-18, 01:50 PM
#16
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Can it be bent back? Need new steerer? Would whatever caused the damage likely have ovalized the head tube? I would check to see if the cups feel loose.
12-14-18, 02:32 PM
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Yeah, the the Ishiwata stamped fork crowns on the 81-ish 600 series bikes. In that case- the crack develops and then it just goes when it can't support the weight.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
12-14-18, 02:33 PM
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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12-14-18, 02:35 PM
#20
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The fork is toast, severely burnt toast. It could conceivably be bent back, but more than likely there's permanent damage to the steer tube. I would consider that type of repair unsafe in this case, and IMO it needs replacement.
This sort of damage is the typical result of playing Evel Knievel with your 10 speed.
This sort of damage is the typical result of playing Evel Knievel with your 10 speed.
12-14-18, 02:39 PM
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There is nothing wrong with the bike. Several vintage bikes have varying degrees of this.
A simple google search of a 1980's Trek 620 would have shown the same thing as the original post.
A simple google search of a 1980's Trek 620 would have shown the same thing as the original post.
Last edited by jadocs; 12-14-18 at 02:47 PM.
12-14-18, 02:59 PM
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Raking at the fork tips is normal.
Raking at the crown (for curved blade forks) is not normal.
Straight blade forks (which this one isn't) may have some raking induced at the crown.
There can be some slight artifacts from say turning the fork to the left, causing the blades to appear forward, but the photo looks worse than that.
The question is where the damage is located. It could be bent at the steer tubes, crown, or fork blades. And, that determination would require closer inspection (although as I mentioned if the headset doesn't turn evenly, that might indicate steer tube issues).
If the damage is entirely within the steer tube, it might be able to be replaced.
Technically a crown could also be replaced, but that would mean essentially rebuilding the fork.
For a permanent repair, one is probably better off just replacing the fork unless there is a compelling reason to repair such as a very rare classic/vintage/antique piece.
12-14-18, 03:10 PM
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Bad angle on the pic and the line is not on the same plane three dimensionally. I'm willing to bet there is nothing wrong.
12-14-18, 03:25 PM
#24
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Has anyone actually seen this bike or taken a photo from the correct angle so we can know? Obviously, the angle of the photograph gives an impression that the fork may not be straight, but I am in the camp that thinks this may well be a optical illusion, and that viewed directly from the side there may be no unintended bend. Waiting for the reveal pix!
-Will
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12-14-18, 03:42 PM
#25
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Looks bent to me. IIRC, that could be the stamped Ishiwata fork crown that had a propensity to crack at the top of the blades.