Matthew- Lotus is not known as a problem maker. Actually they were a paper company that contracted the manufacturing out. The failure you experienced while not common to any one brand (I know of) is one that you hear of every so often. I would be curious how much filler rod flow was actually achieved.
Tange was the fork fabricator most likely, possibly with Columbus products. Although Tange also made rifled steerers, being both a manufacturer and contract constructor.
> Gang,
> I have a buddy here in NYC who has a lovely champagne colored late 70's
> Lotus Gran Compe (Columbus tubing, nice cast lugs and Suntour dropouts)
> as a daily rider. During a recent ride, he noticed somthing felt "funny"
> with the front end. Sort of like a loose headset... But with no play in
> either the locknut or upper cup... But certaily a "wiggle". Upon closer
> inspection, it turns out that his steerer tube had separated from the
> fork crown! The only thing holding the fork together was the brake center
> bolt (which goes through both the steerer and the crown, thank God!)
> Which leads me to my first question:
> Is this a common defect for Lotus bikes of this era?
> Anyone have a similar tale?
>
> Secondly, While inspecting the fork, I came across an odd combo of stamps
> on the steerer: both the Columbus dove AND the word "Tange". The steerer
> is rifled and the blades both have Columbus decals. Can anyone explain
> why the two stamps occupy the same fork?
>
> Matthew Bowne
> Brooklyn, New York
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> _______________________________________________
Andrew R Stewart
Rochester, NY