Nothing wrong with cutting the fork. I doubt very many steerers happen to match the headtube, so nearly all classic forks were probably cut at the factory. If it is threaded far enough for the frame, cut off some excess thread, but not all. Use headset spacers to take up some of the excess in case you want to use a higher stack HS in the future. On the other hand, if it is only 20mm too long without spacers, I might just add spacers and not cut it at all. Kind of a matter of personal taste how many spacers look OK, but 20mm wouldn't bother me and serves a similar purpose to an extended headtube. On the other hand, if it isn't threaded far enough, it's more of an issue, since it's easy to cut a fork using a cutting guide, which isn't that expensive, but cutting more thread takes a little more in terms of tools and experience.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
Ken Bensinger <kenbensinger@gmail.com> wrote: This is my first posting to this forum, so please forgive me if I stumble or err in protocol.
I have a bit of a moral quandry on my hands.
I have a decent Colnago Super frame from (I believe) the late 1970s, but the fork is not correct. So I found and purchased one on eBay and it's a beaut. Chromed Columbus steel (even has the little birdie), with a nice crown and the Colnago name in a circle around the club logo, and clubs on the inside part of the crown lug that runs over the blades. Looks a lot like one I saw in an old Colnago catalog (on a Super). Anyhow, it cleaned up beautifully and really has no problems, except the slightest little pitting of the chrome on the front side of the blades, but hardly noticeable. Hums like a musical instrument -- you could tune a Steinway with it.
So what's the problem? Well, at 205 mm, it's 20mm too long for my 56cm frame. Of course I didn't measure correctly beforehand, and so now I have too much fork on my hands. But the quandry is this: while I could obviously just cut the fork and have the thread extended, et voila. But this is a gorgeous fork and has never been cut. It seems like some kind of crime, or at least a misdemeanor, to cut it just for my entirely selfish ends.
What do I do? I guess I could sell the fork, back on eBay, and hope another one comes up, riding the other fork (a Tange steel Cilo fork) until I find what I want (I underbid on one that would have been perfect the other day, stupidly). But, I though that perhaps in the world of bikes there's somebody in a similar spot, except they need a longer fork, rather than a shorter one. If that's the case, we could probably trade, I think to myself. But maybe that's wishful thinking.
Anyhow, that's where I'm at. If anyone can help, I'm all ears. If I'm not supposed to put this kind of posting up on this forum, let me know. And if somebody has a fork that they don't want to trade, but might part with for monetary reward, tell me.
About me: I'm relatively new to obsessive bike tinkering, but I sure like it. I have a Mexican Magistroni junker I ride all over New York in (funny bike -- weighs a ton but has racing geometry). I have the Colnago and then I have bits and pieces of several bikes that someday might be something. Then there's all my wife's bikes...
Thanks!
Ken Bensinger, Brooklyn
On 21 Mar 2006 10:16:08 -0800, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org
wrote:
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>
>
> CR
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: re: riv lugs, now portholes and perceptions of what is
> beauty (Ken Wehrenberg)
> 2. Pic of the Day - 67 Years Ago Today (Aldo Ross)
> 3. Re: Barber Pole
> (Pete Geurds)
> 4. Re: Mafac centerpull ID? (Jerome & Elizabeth Moos)
> 5.
> Re: Classicrendezvous Digest, Vol 39, Issue 107 Subject, Barbers
> Pole.
> 6. Italian and other bike brands (Toni Theilmeier)
> 7. Re: Too much Rivendell (Michael Wilkinson)
> 8. Re: Mystery French bike on Ebay (Jerome & Elizabeth Moos)
> 9. Re: Too much Rivendell (Sergio Servadio)
> 10. RE: Too much Rivendell (Michael Wilkinson)
> 11. Re: Mafac centerpull ID? (Kurt Sperry)
> 12. Re: Too much Rivendell (Jerome & Elizabeth Moos)
> 13. was: Too much Riv, now Riv. ride vs vinatge bikes
> 14. Re:re:riv lugs
> 15. Paramount built by KOF builder Curt Goodrich (Peter Naiman)
> 16. Re: Cicli su Carta (now Masi, Confente, Cinelli drawings...)
> (Tam Pham)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 09:56:43 -0600
> From: Ken Wehrenberg
> To: chasds@mindspring.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org,
> chuckschmidt@earthlink.net
> Subject: Re: [CR]re: riv lugs, now portholes and perceptions of what is
> beauty
> Message-ID: <42198a04f4063024ce1d514d8c08af4a@htc.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowe
d
> MIME-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v623)
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> Precedence: list
> Message: 1
>
> Chuck Schmidt opined:
>
> The holes in the fork crown always reminded me of those silly fifties
> Buick portholes.
> > buick_fender_mounted_portholes.jpg>
> > riv_gp_headtube_400.jpg>
>
> Here are some more KOF portholes:
>
> http://classicrendezvous.com/
>
> Actually, I am in total agreement with Charles and Chuck. The artistic
> eye tells me there is incongruity in some aspects of the Riv designs
> and the scientific side of me questions why that may be. Mr Starck
> touched on the mathematical side of the why. In facial form, structure
> and reconstruction of parts, we deal with golden section ideas as a
> "go-to" reinforcement or substantiation of why some things function and
> then coincidentally work in terms of beauty. Studies have been done
> measuring conclusively that babies can sense an attractive mother
> differently than a less attractive one. There appears to be some
> hardwiring in all of us, courtesy of our Creator. That being said, it
> may be somewhat different in different races. The golden section
> mathematical rules do not work in quite the same ways for Asians, for
> example.
>
> A week or so ago, the Wall Street Journal had a piece on the changing
> aspects of frontal appearance of cars. A lot of people apparently base
> a large part of their decision to purchase a vehicle based on its face.
> The snarly Chris Bangle BMWs and the new Camrys are examples of how a
> relatively nasty expression has displaced a pleasant face in the car
> market. I hope we don't have a bike market where the market gravitates
> evermore to caulk-beaded tubes, etc and forgets the decent pleasing
> beauty of lugs, especially those done well, regardless of our
> comparatively petty artistic predilections.
>
> Ken Wehrenberg, Hermann, MO
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 11:06:25 -0500
> From: "Aldo Ross"
> To:
> Subject: [CR]Pic of the Day - 67 Years Ago Today
> Message-ID: <001601c64d01$6878a180$2a17fbd1@Newhouse>
> Content-Type: text/plain;charset="iso-8859-1"
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Precedence: list
> Message: 2
>
> Pic of the Day
> 21 March 2006
>
> Sixty-Seven Years Ago Today
> "Rain, Snow, Mud and Cold - Le Championnat de France de
> Cyclo-Cross,1939"
>
> http://www.wooljersey.com/
> ships
>
> Robert Laforgue (Bordeaux) leads Charles Vaast (Lens, and winner of the
> 1939 Critérium International de Cyclo-cross) into one of the swampy
> sections on the Fontainebleau course during the 1939 French Cyclocross
> Championship. Laforgue would go on to win, with Vaast finishing second.
> From "Le Miroir des Sports" No.1055, 21 March 1939.
>
> Aldo Ross
> Middletown, Ohio
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 11:07:16 -0500
> From: "Pete Geurds"
> To:
> Subject: Re: Barber Pole
> Message-ID: <093e01c64d01$89c198b0$6401a8c0@peter5x12klm15>
> References:
> Content-Type: text/plain;format=flowed;charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=response
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> Precedence: list
> Message: 3
>
> From: "Brandon Ives"
> Subject: Re: Barber Pole
>
>
> > looking at Mercian's page they charge 34 pounds for the barber pole the
se
> > days. The reason it's expensive is it's a very tricky mask to get
> > correct. First you pain a base color. Second you need to get the spira
l
> > right and tight without any gaps. Then you need to mask two lug
> > edges which can be a pain. Lastly you shoot your top color. Then you
> > get to remove the masking and a piece that long can also be quite trick
y
> > to get off and keep the edges crisp. I think the cheapest priced
> > I was quoted was $125. Most painter charge in the ballpark of $50 just
> > for just a contrasting band on the seattube so $125 seems about right f
or
> > the work involved. Any additional color involves quite a bit of extra
> > time that has nothing to do with spraying paint. My guess is Mercian c
an
> > do it so cheaply because they have a system set up inn place that saves
> > them time and are familiar with the job.
> > best,
> > Brandon"monkeyman"Ives
> > Vancouver, B.C.
>
> Since Mercian knows how to do it they don't have to charge as much.
> I've found when a tradesperson quotes a shockingly high price they're try
ing
> to discourage the customer.
> But if they're willing to pay.....
>
> OTOH: Some of the masking charges I've seen quoted by bike painters borde
r
> on the ridiculous.
> Sure it's a pain but supposedly one gets better (and faster) at doing the
se
> things.
>
> Pete Geurds
> Douglassville, Pa
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 08:21:44 -0800 (PST)
> From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos
> To: Kristopher Green ,
> Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [CR]Mafac centerpull ID?
> Message-ID: <20060321162144.26960.qmail@web82208.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> In-Reply-To: <36ebc2f70603210451x7a2fda10mb04b787ad80047d7@mail.gmail.com
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
> Precedence: list
> Message: 4
>
> Those are Competitions, a later version, probably late 70's, maybe very e
arly 80's. They have a foil sticker. The early Competitions (early 70's)
had the model name engraved (or stamped or cast, maybe) in the caliper.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jerry Moos
> Big Spring, TX
>
> Kristopher Green wrote:
> Can anyone identify the Mafac centerpull pictured on the Paul Fuller
> that Steve Kurt posted last night to this forum?
>
>
>
> It appears to incorporate some of the nice details and finish of the
> Dia Compe Gran Compe brakeset into the basic Mafac Mod Competition
> architecture.
>
> Warning: these may be off topic, timewise, but heavens--if Mafac isn't
> considered a KOF, who can be?
>
> Kris Green
> Olympia WA
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 11:26:00 EST
> From: Crumpy6204@aol.com
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR]
> Re: Classicrendezvous Digest, Vol 39, Issue 107 Subject, Barbers Pole.
> Message-ID: <2b7.6f460c9.31518318@aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> Precedence: list
> Message: 5
>
> Mercian charged me GBP18.00 extra for the B Pole on my new Mercian
> Vincitorie, (That I hope to get any week now!!) approx $32.00 But I think
this was
> extra to the standard seat tube panel, I DO think that the pole is kinda
> different and a touch to my frame that should make it stand out, In Engla
nd in the
> 50s you looked for the barbers pole to go get your condoms at!!!! maybe I
will
> carry some with me, Cheers John Crump Oldwhatsacondom?Brit Parker, Co.US
A
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:29:38 +0100
> From: Toni Theilmeier
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR]Italian and other bike brands
> Message-ID:
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> MIME-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v613)
> Precedence: list
> Message: 6
>
> I would like to add that at least three of those brands seem to be
> German, one, probably mis-spelled, Wanderer, very famous maker of
> cycles, motorcyles, cars, typewriters, and machine tools, two, the
> equally famous Bielefeld maker Dürkopp, also into cars and motorbikes
>
> in the twenties, with air rifles, roller bearings and sewing machines
> thrown in for good measure, and the other, the Münster maker of
> recumbents, Radius.
>
> Diamant might also be the German one, makers of the first all-light
> alloy bike in the world in the late twenties, as they then claimed.
>
> Stucchi: Any relations to Prinetti e Stucchi, early engine manufacturer?
>
> Regards, Toni Theilmeier, Belm, Germany,
> who remembers the boys at Radius when they sold second hand cycles to
> students and parked their first unpainted recumbent in front of the
> refectory.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 10:02:00 -0700
> From: "Michael Wilkinson"
> To:
> Subject: Re: [CR]Too much Rivendell
> Message-ID: <00d401c64d09$2bb31980$1601a8c0@pengo>
> In-Reply-To:
> Content-Type: text/plain;charset="US-ASCII"
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> Precedence: list
> Message: 7
>
> I think this thread has proved my point that Rivendell will be very
> collectable. What other marque has drawn as much action besides Masi? Now
,
> if there was only a Grant, Pinapple Bob,
> iBob scandal to add to the mystique!
>
> Mike "Tounge in cheek but really serious" Wilkinson
> Castle Rock, CO
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 08:44:35 -0800 (PST)
> From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos
> To: John Barry ,
> John Waner ,
> CR List
> Subject: Re: [CR]Mystery French bike on Ebay
> Message-ID: <20060321164435.11098.qmail@web82202.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> In-Reply-To: <20060321143007.27420.qmail@web50209.mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
> Precedence: list
> Message: 8
>
> Too many brazeons for Peugeot, and seatstay caps don't look right. I'd s
ay LeJeune or Follis.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jerry Moos
> Big Spring, TX
>
> John Barry wrote:
> John,
>
> Just a guess based on the lugs and the appearance of
> the fork crown and brake bolt. Maybe it's a repainted
> Follis. Take a look at the specs on the Follis page
> of CR for the 172 model. Obviously, the fitted
> components could change from year to year, and what's
> on it may well not be original. It does seem to fit
> with the rest of the clues too.
>
> Regards,
>
> John Barry
> Mechanicsburg (cold, cold spring) PA
>
> --- John Waner wrote:
>
> > Anybody have an idea?
> >
> > http://ebay.com/
> >
> ViewItem&item=7228208403&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohos
ting
> >
> > Ebay item # 7228208403
> >
> > Thought I would try to change the subject, riv lugs
> > have been beaten to
> > death
> >
> > John Waner
> > Huntington Beach, CA. USA
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Classicrendezvous mailing list
> > Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> >
> http://www.bikelist.org/
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
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>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 18:04:06 +0100
> From: Sergio Servadio
> To: Michael Wilkinson
> Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [CR]Too much Rivendell
> Message-ID: <44203206.8070102@df.unipi.it>
> In-Reply-To: <00d401c64d09$2bb31980$1601a8c0@pengo>
> References: <00d401c64d09$2bb31980$1601a8c0@pengo>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> Precedence: list
> Message: 9
>
> Michael Wilkinson wrote:
>
> >I think this thread has proved my point that Rivendell will be very
> >collectable.
> >
>
> Instead, this thread reminded me of two lessons I received, and still
> treasure.
>
> My Father used to say that much of the value of antiques is made up by
> the discussion and the talking that is done about them.
>
> Somebody in the 'vintage bike business' once said to me:
> ' ... I am colleting all possible info on this maker. Mr. [snips] might
> be willing to start talking about it in order to build up expectation
> and demand for these framesets ... '.
>
> So it goes, too.
>
> Sergio
> Pisa
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 10:12:50 -0700
> From: "Michael Wilkinson"
> To: "'Sergio Servadio'"
> Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: RE: [CR]Too much Rivendell
> Message-ID: <00de01c64d0a$aff57a70$1601a8c0@pengo>
> In-Reply-To: <44203206.8070102@df.unipi.it>
> Content-Type: text/plain;charset="US-ASCII"
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> Precedence: list
> Message: 10
>
> Damn, you found me out because I was about to sell a Rivendell frame :) N
ot
> really, actually just bought one.
>
> Mike
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sergio Servadio [mailto:servadio@df.unipi.it]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 10:04 AM
> To: Michael Wilkinson
> Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [CR]Too much Rivendell
>
>
> Michael Wilkinson wrote:
>
> >I think this thread has proved my point that Rivendell will be very
> >collectable.
> >
>
> Instead, this thread reminded me of two lessons I received, and still
> treasure.
>
> My Father used to say that much of the value of antiques is made up by
> the discussion and the talking that is done about them.
>
> Somebody in the 'vintage bike business' once said to me:
> ' ... I am colleting all possible info on this maker. Mr. [snips] might
> be willing to start talking about it in order to build up expectation
> and demand for these framesets ... '.
>
> So it goes, too.
>
> Sergio
> Pisa
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006 09:09:02 -0800
> From: "Kurt Sperry"
> Cc: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [CR]Mafac centerpull ID?
> Message-ID: <75d04b480603210909s2ff92718nc7ec9fb07e72e78b@mail.gmail.com>
> In-Reply-To: <20060321162144.26960.qmail@web82208.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> References: <36ebc2f70603210451x7a2fda10mb04b787ad80047d7@mail.gmail.com>
> <20060321162144.26960.qmail@web82208.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Precedence: list
> Reply-To: kurt@fineartscrimshaw.com
> Message: 11
>
> I have a nagging feeling these later ones were branded as 'Competition 20
00
> '
> or the like. These late Mafac brakes looked to me to be of a considerabl
y
> higher standard of finish than the earlier ubiquitous and mundane Bike Bo
om
> 'Racer' sets.
>
> Kurt Sperry
> Bellingham WA
>
>
> On 3/21/06, Jerome & Elizabeth Moos wrote:
=== message truncated ===
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