The 45 mm rake (what we spec'd them at) kind of limits you to smaller frames anyway, as it works best with 72.5 head angle (gives ~ 58 mm trail) which normally only would be found on smaller frames say 52-54 cm. I tried one of these on my first titanium bike in 1997 with 73.5 head and found it a bit squirelly. A 40 mm rake Look fork cured that. So I've never bothered to try to put a new steerer in one.
Bob Freeman Elliott Bay Bicycles 2116 Western Ave Seattle, WA 98121 206-441-8144 http://www.elliottbaybicycles.com http://www.davidsonbicycles.com
-----Original Message----- From: David Patrick <patrick-ajdb@sbcglobal.net> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org; rdf1249@aol.com Sent: Wed, Mar 10, 2010 6:10 am Subject: EVEN MORE info on NOS Flat crown front forks - Special offer
Bob brings up a good point on the threading of the steering tube and this totally passed by me. Obviously this makes these forks of limited use "as-is". Here's what I'll do to hopefully make it worth while to CR members: I'll cut the price to $80 each, which will include shipping. At this price, you can afford to have a frame builder braze a longer steerer on these if needed and I would think you'd still be coming out way ahead.
So to sum up, these are Tange Prestige bladed forks w/nice vintage-style flat Hitachi crown (as used by Richard Sachs in the past). Rake is 46mm by my measurement. Campy front dropouts - no eyelets. Fits 700c wheels and takes short reach brakes. Steering tube is 195mm long with 75mm of threading. Bob at Elliot Bay says the steerer should be left no longer than 160mm if used "as-is".
I hope this price strikes CR members as worthwhile and please let me know if you have any questions etc. Thank you.
Dave Patrick
Chelsea, Michigan USA
From: rdf1249@aol.com <rdf1249@aol.com> Subject: Re: [CR] More info on NOS Flat crown front forks - Special offer To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org, patrick-ajdb@sbcglobal.net Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 1:36 AM
I have a number of these Tange-made forks as well which we bought for stock frames back in the 80s. I believe they have the same steerer dimension, and are 45 rake. Same crown and Campy dropouts without eyelets. It should be mentioned that these cannot be used on a frame with a head tube longer than about 110, as you would run the risk of having the end of the handlebar stem wedge or plug be in the threaded portion, a potentially deadly situation since it could cause the steerer to break off there. The bottom of your stem always needs to go below the threaded section. I always cut them off to no more than 160 mm steerer length so there is no possibility of one being used on a frame that is too large. (58-59 would definitely be too large) I would match Dave's price by the way when he runs out. I've had them on ebay in years past and didn't get that much for them. But that was then.
Message: 2 Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 16:37:48 -0800 (PST) From: David Patrick <patrick-ajdb@sbcglobal.net> Subject: [CR] More info on NOS Flat crown front forks - Special offer To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Message-ID: <547360.65126.qm@web82303.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
These forks mentioned previously are for 700C wheels and take short reach brakes.? If you need to know rake, let me know and I'll measure it out.? Thx.
Dave Patrick
Chelsea, Michigan USA
From: David Patrick <patrick-ajdb@sbcglobal.net> Subject: SALE TO CR LIST: NOS Flat crown front forks - Special offer To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Date: Sunday, March 7, 2010, 5:58 PM
I have for sale a very small quantity of classic NOS flat crown front forks that were made by special order in Japan.? These forks feature the no-longer-available Hitachi flat fork crown as used by Richard Sachs for many years.? Made with Tange Prestige tubing, these forks also have Campagnolo dropouts and a steering tube length of 190mm with 75mm of English threading. These forks can easily be used on 58cm-59cm frames and smaller, and at my offering price, you could even consider having a longer steering tube brazed on. Pics are here:
http://www.flickr.com/
Price to CR members is $165 shipped within lower 48. International shipping at cost.? Paypal friendly.? I'll be taking these to Ebay at $225+ if not sold here, so give this offer some consideration.? Thanks.
Bob Freeman
Elliott Bay Bicycles
2116 Western Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
206-441-8144
http://www.elliottbaybicycles.com
http://www.davidsonbicycles.com