DIY Jig for Aligning the Fork
10-14-21, 08:54 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
DIY Jig for Aligning the Fork
My '90ish Giordana Spica wanted to veer strongly to the left when riding. I tried the fork alignment that Sheldon had on his site without much success ( https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/align-fork.html ). I decided to build my own jig to try to fix the fork. I built it using parts I had around the shop. I was able to straighten the blades so they were centered and was able to adjust the rake as measured at the dropouts. I used a hub with a mark in the very center and used a straight edge to measure down the center of the steerer to determine how much to adjust. After removing the hub I was able to bend the blades into the proper position. After making the adjustments I was able to ride with my hands off the bars instead of fighting to keep the bike going straight prior to making the adjustments.
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10-14-21, 10:30 AM
#3
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Pretty much brute force. To adjust the blade rake at the dropouts I put my foot on the board between the blades and pushed/pulled on the blade that needed adjustment. For the side to side I set the jig on it's side and pushed/pulled the blade that needed adjustment. I then reinstalled the hub and remeasured to make sure it was adjusted correctly.
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10-14-21, 11:58 AM
#4
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Pretty much brute force. To adjust the blade rake at the dropouts I put my foot on the board between the blades and pushed/pulled on the blade that needed adjustment. For the side to side I set the jig on it's side and pushed/pulled the blade that needed adjustment. I then reinstalled the hub and remeasured to make sure it was adjusted correctly.
I used a small jack to realign my blades, pushing on a bare axle I used in the dropouts.
Decided to add a picture of mine, though not in use. I needed more spacers to fit the jack (not pictured) underneath.
My blades were both bent back, and not easy to bend back into place. I had to overbend more than I expected to get them reset.
Last edited by Ex Pres; 10-14-21 at 03:29 PM.
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10-14-21, 12:16 PM
#5
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I was going to use U bolts but I found these in a junk box. The use of a jack would make it real easy. I was able to align the blades without too much trouble/force.
10-14-21, 01:09 PM
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Thank you! I have a couple of forks that need attention, and have been looking for a practical approach for a while. 
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10-14-21, 01:27 PM
#7
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I was fortunate enough to have access to the park tools to align a fork but let me say this looks terrific. Really satisfying when no hands riding results!
10-14-21, 02:41 PM
#8
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A gentleman I know builds his own frames and made this one that he lent me for my bent fork
Fork Jig 1 on Flickr
Fork Jig 2 wfork on Flickr
Fork Jig 3 wfork on Flickr
Fork Jig 4 wfork on Flickr
The two screws between the retainers are adjusted to be level and adjusted to the off-set desired. The fork is then placed on the "hub" and the steerer should be in contact with both screws.
This is not a tool for bending but to check the alignment.
Fork Jig 1 on FlickrFork Jig 2 wfork on FlickrFork Jig 3 wfork on FlickrFork Jig 4 wfork on FlickrThe two screws between the retainers are adjusted to be level and adjusted to the off-set desired. The fork is then placed on the "hub" and the steerer should be in contact with both screws.
This is not a tool for bending but to check the alignment.
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10-18-21, 05:54 AM
#9
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My '90ish Giordana Spica wanted to veer strongly to the left when riding. I tried the fork alignment that Sheldon had on his site without much success ( https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/align-fork.html ). I decided to build my own jig to try to fix the fork. I built it using parts I had around the shop. I was able to straighten the blades so they were centered and was able to adjust the rake as measured at the dropouts. I used a hub with a mark in the very center and used a straight edge to measure down the center of the steerer to determine how much to adjust. After removing the hub I was able to bend the blades into the proper position. After making the adjustments I was able to ride with my hands off the bars instead of fighting to keep the bike going straight prior to making the adjustments.
