Hi Ken and all,
I was hanging around the Tumbleweed Bike Shop during the early-mid 70's when I spied a large barrel full of broken Lambert Forks that had been returned.
I was a bit under financed in my racing days (worse now I'm afraid) so without funds and needing a set of chainwhips my mind started thinking.... If I drill a few holes in the solid thing and rivet some scrap chain to it I have me a pair o chain whips on the cheap. The shop guys said I could have the parts so to work I went.
Quickly I was ready for a test, removing a cog from a freewheel. It had just been installed and never ridden so breaking it loose should have been child's play... with a real tool. Anyway much to my disappointment...the fork snapped clean in two.
To test my theory that these might not be all there were cracked up to be I put three more forks in a vise (had a barrel full sitting right there) and pulled on the remaining blades. They all failed with varying degrees of pressure. The material used in the fork is porous and grainy like sand when broken and is suitable for pie tins only but not as structurally sound.
Moral, Equip all you bikes with Cinelli M-71 pedals, because they are much safer, pay you life insurance premium on time and don't ever ride a Lambert fork down a driveway.
Cheers All, Gilbert Anderson In a message dated 3/26/01 3:25:00 AM, Huemax@aol.com writes:
<< Hi, Harvey and all,
Speaking of the Lambert cast aluminum fork, I have a story.
I am the one stupid guy who bought a Lambert frame from ebay a couple months ago.
This was the one seller thought it worth over 400.00 first, and relisted for nothing after he did not get any bid, I took it for a little over 40.00 but cost me additional 45.00 get shipped.
Anyway, the fork is just as heavy as regular steel one. It looks and feels as strong as steel one. Did it really fail to hurt many riders?
I like its looks and I sure would like to give A credit for trying something innovative in bicycle frame making history. Remember H-sight is 02/20.
KEN TODA, Got another project of restoration with Lambert, in North Carolina.