Hello Friends,
So I broke my fork on my favourite commuter, right next to the wheel axis. Snapped. Photos attached.
Here is a question nr 1:
Is it possible to weld it? Fix it? Would it be (reasonably) safe if done correctly?
Here is a question nr 2:
This is a motobecane prestige from god knows which year. Is it easy to get an replacement fork?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Janek
by Specialist_Crab2342
11 Comments
it may be fixable but it is definitely not safe to ride it when it is broken. Better of getting an old for or even a new fork with suspension if you want a more comfortable ride
One could braze in a new dropout if the fork tube itself isn’t damaged.
Judging by the rest of this bike, it’s likely a steel 1″ threaded headset fork. There are decades of old bikes with forks that would be well-suited to this task. It’d be a far safer, easier, and likely cheaper option to buy a used fork from a local bike coop or used marketplace of some sort. Bringing it to a coop they’d likely be able to help or lend the tools required to perform the swap.
A new (or used) fork will be stronger than any repair, and the costs will be about the same.
That’s a bummer! What happened?
If it were my bike I’d replace the fork, as that failure might not be the only damage on it. Cracks around the crown would be a definite no-go, as snapping the fork off could be seriously problematic. Be sure to check your replacement candidates for damage too!
Just get a new fork
Not much I just accelerated from the red lights and felt a crack. I had this bike for almost 10years.
Thanks for the advice!
Looks like chromoly which luckily for you is pretty easy and cheap to weld.
Not sure where you’re based but I know that this sort of repair is about as easy as it gets for a welder so shouldn’t be more than about £50.
I’d check the rest of the steerer tube and have a look online because you might be able to pick up a new fork for a fairly similar price.
New fork time or take it to a frame builder to repair or give advice.
I’m not sure how to proceed welding, but if welded it should be done by someone who knows bike-specific welding.
replacing the fork may be as easy as searching ebay for a 27″ threaded road fork with a similar steerer tube length. but you may consider checking other things in case they are of a rare standard. check sheldon brown’s page [here](https://www.sheldonbrown.com/headsets.html) and [here](https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-headsets.html) for more information.
(long version) To replace the fork you’ll need one that:
1. matches the wheel size of the old fork (likely 27″ or ISO 630mm) to maintain frame geometry.
2. more or less matches the steerer tube height from fork crown to threads, and is not either too short to reach the headset cap, nor too long to work by adding spacers.
3. matches the steerer tube diameter or is of a diameter that fits a frame-compatible *headset*, should you need to replace that.
4. matches the thread pitch of the headset, or that of a frame-compatible headset you have access to.
5. has the same spacing for the front axle, which it is very likely to.
6. has a hole for caliper brakes, unless you’re willing to have boss-mounted brakes on the front.
I can TIG, so I would but if you’re paying someone – cheaper to get a new fork.