I am in the middle of refurbishing a 1955 Hetchins. The slot in the steerer tube is cut right through! It has been that way from new. It is now 55 years old. Obvoiusly, I don't know its particular history, but it has been well used. I cannot imagine it leaving the factory like that if there was any significant risk. It is, after all, supported by the top race and locknut, and the handlebar stem.
As always, "your mileage may vary"...........
Tony Taylor Manchester, NH
________________________________ From: damien roohr <droohr@comcast.net> To: marcus e helman <marcus.e.helman@saab.com> Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Mon, May 24, 2010 9:42:16 AM Subject: Re: [CR] cracked steerer: safe to ignore?
Some French engineers apparently might argue that this is precisely why all steerer tubes should come equipped with an appropriately fitted wooden dowel (re previous discussion of just such natural inserts)... but i think your family and friends would strongly advise you to replace the entire fork, or at least the tube. I cannot think of a single upside to the continued use of structural frame and fork members whose integrity has been visibly compromised.
Damien Roohr Canton, CT not an engineer. also never crashed due to part failure
.
Original Message ----- From: "marcus e helman" <marcus.e.helman@saab.com> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 9:07:04 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [CR] cracked steerer: safe to ignore?
Part of the threaded section of the steerer tube of my early '60's Pogliaghi is cracked. The crack is vertical. It is in the slot that is machined into the steerer tube to accommodate the keyed washer in a headset. What should I do? I would like to ignore it, but I would also like to not have it break while I am going down a hill with a turn at the bottom
Best regards, Marcus Helman Royal Oak, MI
Nothing in this message is intended to constitute an electronic signature unless a specific statement to the contrary is included in this message.
Confidentiality Note: This message is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed. It may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, transmission, dissemination or other use, or taking of any action in reliance upon this message by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete it from your computer.