Marcus wrote:
> Well I had a pretty crappy Saturday. I had just turned around on an
> out-and-back ride, was headed west on a bright, sunny morning, when an
> oncoming car turned left and hit me. I was shouting, and he was braking,
> so the actual collision was relatively low speed. I was wearing a helmet,
> but fortunately didn't hit my head. I am bruised, but unbroken. This is
> obviously the good news.
>
> The bike, my '83 Casati, is not so great. The front wheel is toast, as is
> the fork. I took the bike to my LBS, who checked the alignment, and
> pronounced the frame to be straight. My question now is, what to do about
> a replacement fork. The options seem to be as follows:
> 1. get a generic new steel fork--unacceptable for obvious reasons
> 2. get a new carbon fiber fork, assuming one can be found with a threaded
> steerer--unacceptable
> 3. find someone to build me a new fork in the appropriate style--is it
> possible/worth it to salvage the crown and dropouts from the bent fork?
> 4. find a used fork that is corrct in terms of time period and country of
> origin. I expect that there are no used Casati forks lying around
Casati can build you a new fork. You can contact them on:
ciclicasati@ciclicasati.it
If you would like to send them a message in Italian, you can send teh following:
Egregi Signori,
Sono collezionsita di bici d'epoca ed attuale possessore del telaio (INSERT YOUR FRAME'S SERIAL NUMBER HERE) del 1983. Dopo essere stato investito l'altro ieri da una macchina, mi trovo ora con la bici con la forcella rotta. Vorrei far farmene una in sostituzione di quella originale e speravo che sarete in grado di occuparvene.
Vogliate pertanto mandarmi una risposta con il vostro preventivo.
Grazie anticipatamente di vostro aiuto.
(INSERT SIGNATURE HERE)
This translates to:
Dear sirs,
I am a collector of vintage bicycles and present owner of frame number from 1983. After having been hit by a car the day before yesterday, I find myself with a bike with a broken fork. I would like to have a replacement one made for me and hoped that you would be able to do this for me.
Please therefore send me a reply with your estimate.
Thank you in advance for your help.
-- Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ
> Well I had a pretty crappy Saturday. I had just turned around on an
> out-and-back ride, was headed west on a bright, sunny morning, when an
> oncoming car turned left and hit me. I was shouting, and he was braking,
> so the actual collision was relatively low speed. I was wearing a helmet,
> but fortunately didn't hit my head. I am bruised, but unbroken. This is
> obviously the good news.
>
> The bike, my '83 Casati, is not so great. The front wheel is toast, as is
> the fork. I took the bike to my LBS, who checked the alignment, and
> pronounced the frame to be straight. My question now is, what to do about
> a replacement fork. The options seem to be as follows:
> 1. get a generic new steel fork--unacceptable for obvious reasons
> 2. get a new carbon fiber fork, assuming one can be found with a threaded
> steerer--unacceptable
> 3. find someone to build me a new fork in the appropriate style--is it
> possible/worth it to salvage the crown and dropouts from the bent fork?
> 4. find a used fork that is corrct in terms of time period and country of
> origin. I expect that there are no used Casati forks lying around
>
> The LBS quoted $600 to go with option 3. This includes new spokes and rim,
> and retaping the bars. The guy who hit me was nice enough at the moment,
> but he was unhappy with that kind of bill. He said he has friends who have
> vintage bikes, and he would try to find me a replacement fork and wheel.
>
> I am going to press him for cash rather than parts, but the question
> remains, what to do about the bike? What is your experience with
> replacement forks?
>
> Another question: the wheel had 15 gauge spokes. I was offered 14 gauge,
> or 15-17-15 double-butted replacements. I seem to recall being told that
> double-butted spokes had inherent weaknesses and stretch at the points of
> attenuation. Obviously the quality of the wheel build itself is the most
> important thing, but what is your opinion on spoke gauge and profile?
>
> Marcus Helman
> Pissed off in Huntington Woods, MI