Hi Doug,
To replace the steerer you first remove all the paint, than check
the crown for pins, (pins are a steel spike or nail that the frame
builder may uses to hold the parts together before brazing). I start by
drilling them out.Than get an old front hub, lock it into the dropouts,
than two blocks of wood or steel plates and clamp them lightly to the
fork blades just above the rake( this is to keep the blades parallel).
Flux the entire crown and part of the steerer and upper blades( flux
keeps the joint clean during brazing and helps the brazing material
flow) , clamp if in a vice by a portion of the crown; get a good hot
flame on you torch and start heating, constantly move the flame around
the crown where the steerer is till you see the brazing material turn
lliquid and pull the steerer out. If the fork was brazed with silver
solder, It shouldn't take much time and heat; but if its brass brazed,
you may need a very large tip on your torch to do it and you may want to
send it to a builder, or just get a new fork. If you get it apart, you
need to clean the crown to get the old brazing material out of it, than
clean the new steerer with emery cloth, get any dirt or dust of both
parts, put the hub back in the DO's and the plates back, pin the crown
to the steerer, if you need to, flux and silver solder them together.
Clean the flux off, ( it comes of with hot H2O) polish the joint and the
rest of the fork and paint ;and "voila" it is done. Personally, this is
not an easy thing for a novice to do.
If you need or want to talk about doing this, give me a call.
God Bless,
Anthony Mezzatesta
Mezzatesta Custom Cycles
909 Berkley Manor Dr.
Cranberry Twp, Pa 16066
724 498 4191