Fork replacement Gran Sport

jezinio

Hi

I am trying to make my early 80s Raleigh Gran Sport presentable again. Most of it is in reasonable condition apart from the chrome forks. These are beyond cleaning and I would like to replace them. Any idea where I can get a similar set. Mine are flat crown but later models came with a sloping crown I believe. Either would do.

ugo.santalucia

Get it resprayed or rechromed, probably cheaper than getting a new one. Looking at 150-200 pounds for a new chromed fork from the likes of bob jackson

jezinio

Hi thanks - any recommendations on a re-chrome?

ugo.santalucia

Try Argos cycles in Bristol. It won't be cheap but it will be a great job

rolf_f

Have you tried metal polish or T cut on them? You can go a hell of a long way with those.

And the aforemention Bob Jackson will rechrome your existing fork if you want - always better than replacing original parts.

jezinio

This may seem completely elementary to anyone semi-competent in bike mechanics, but, how do I get this old fork off??

rolf_f

jezinio wrote:

This may seem completely elementary to anyone semi-competent in bike mechanics, but, how do I get this old fork off??

In very elementary terms - undo the bolt at the top of the stem and remove the handlebars. Then, unscrew everything that unscrews at the top of the head tube and pull out anything that pulls out; this will include the bearings which maybe caged or loose (this matters less than if this discussion was about tigers). You may wish to photograph everything you undo as you go along as sometimes its not immediately obvious how it goes back together.

At this point, you should be able to separate the fork from the frame bearing in mind more caged or loose bearings will appear in the vicinity of the steerer tube above the top of the fork crown.

ugo.santalucia

Rolf F wrote:

jezinio wrote:

This may seem completely elementary to anyone semi-competent in bike mechanics, but, how do I get this old fork off??

In very elementary terms - undo the bolt at the top of the stem and remove the handlebars. Then, unscrew everything that unscrews at the top of the head tube and pull out anything that pulls out; this will include the bearings which maybe caged or loose (this matters less than if this discussion was about tigers). You may wish to photograph everything you undo as you go along as sometimes its not immediately obvious how it goes back together.

At this point, you should be able to separate the fork from the frame bearing in mind more caged or loose bearings will appear in the vicinity of the steerer tube above the top of the fork crown.

+1

... and the final step is removing the crown race from the fork.... you can leave it to the guy who will chrome the fork or you can DIY. In the latter case and in the absence of the proper tool, gently tap a large flat screwdriver with a mallet all around the perimeter of the crown... it should eventually come off

jezinio

Many thanks - a real big help. Very good tip about the photos. If I get mauled by those vicious bearings I will be back!