Re: [CR] Lotus Fork Anomallies

(Example: Framebuilders:Pino Morroni)

From: "Andrew R Stewart" <onetenth@earthlink.net>
To: Matthew Bowne <devotion_finesse@hotmail.com>, CR List <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <BLU0-SMTP670A2BDA1E0F283B7A03E9F5A60@phx.gbl>
In-Reply-To:
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:27:10 -0500
Subject: Re: [CR] Lotus Fork Anomallies


Matthew- Lotus is not known as a problem maker. Actually they were a paper company that contracted the manufacturing out. The failure you experienced while not common to any one brand (I know of) is one that you hear of every so often. I would be curious how much filler rod flow was actually achieved.

Tange was the fork fabricator most likely, possibly with Columbus products. Although Tange also made rifled steerers, being both a manufacturer and contract constructor.


----- Original Message -----
From: Matthew Bowne
To: CR List
Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 7:55 PM
Subject: [CR] Lotus Fork Anomallies



> Gang,
> I have a buddy here in NYC who has a lovely champagne colored late 70's
> Lotus Gran Compe (Columbus tubing, nice cast lugs and Suntour dropouts)
> as a daily rider. During a recent ride, he noticed somthing felt "funny"
> with the front end. Sort of like a loose headset... But with no play in
> either the locknut or upper cup... But certaily a "wiggle". Upon closer
> inspection, it turns out that his steerer tube had separated from the
> fork crown! The only thing holding the fork together was the brake center
> bolt (which goes through both the steerer and the crown, thank God!)
> Which leads me to my first question:
> Is this a common defect for Lotus bikes of this era?
> Anyone have a similar tale?
>
> Secondly, While inspecting the fork, I came across an odd combo of stamps
> on the steerer: both the Columbus dove AND the word "Tange". The steerer
> is rifled and the blades both have Columbus decals. Can anyone explain
> why the two stamps occupy the same fork?
>
> Matthew Bowne
> Brooklyn, New York
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> _______________________________________________

Andrew R Stewart
Rochester, NY