[CR] WTB: '82 Trek 728 Fork Replacement?

(Example: Framebuilding:Restoration)

References: <8CB8D58088DDC93-1610-35BA@webmail-da15.sysops.aol.com> <8CB8D5901681F13-1610-35CB@webmail-da15.sysops.aol.com>
To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:07:12 -0400
In-Reply-To: <8CB8D5901681F13-1610-35CB@webmail-da15.sysops.aol.com>
From: <ikersey@aol.com>
Subject: [CR] WTB: '82 Trek 728 Fork Replacement?

I returned this past Saturday from a week-long trip down the C&O Canal tow path with my son and Scouts from Troop 103.? For those that don't know, the C&O Canal runs 184 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, to the Watergate in Washington, DC.? With side trips into Little Orleans, Hancock, Fort Frederick, Williamsport, Shepherdstown, and Harpers Ferry, we totaled over 220 miles.?

I rode my '82 Trek 728 (see http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/2007/cc356-iankersey0807.html) decked out with Schwalbe Marathon XR tires (an awesome tire!) and loaded down with 40+ lbs of gear in Gilles Berthoud front and rear panniers, handlebar bag, and large rack saddle bag, a la randonneur.? I've read in this forum that the 728 was a bit whippy as a loaded tourer, and now I can confirm this!??

During the ride, just 5 miles out from Williamsport, running about 12 mph in tight formation, I was thrown over the handlebars.? I suspect (but never could confirm) that 1) a stick was thrown up by my front tire and lodged itself against the back of fork blades, or 2) a stick knocked the Trangia fuel bottle out of the cage on the underside of the down tube, causing it to lodge against the tire/fork/down tube.

Fortunately, beyond a couple of scrapes, neither I nor the rider behind me was seriously injured.? However, I had to return to the LBS in Williamsport to have my now bent front wheel straightened. Unfortunately, my fork blades were also wrenched back from the crown significantly.? No other frame damage was apparent from the crash.? The bike remains rideable (I completed the ride with the scouts), but I don't trust it for higher speeds.?

To make a long story short, I'm dismounting the fork this weekend and taking it into my LBS to see if they can salvage/straighten it, but I'm not hopeful.?

Does anyone out there have an early 80's Trek 720 fork (Reynolds 531, preferably without the canti posts) that they are willing to sell?? My frame is a 22?1/2"

Thanks,

Ian Kersey Williamsburg, VA?

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