fork with 1 1/8" steerer on an old school frame

A few months ago I stripped down dear old dads Schwinn to make it more MTB friendly.


Was fun but the springer fork sucks. As you hit a bump it moves the wheel back which raises the bike. Actually exaggerating the bumps. Plus no brake mount. The springer had to go. I have a spare standard 1 1/8" fork and headset but it didn't quite fit on the narrow schwinn headtube made for 1" steerer forks. Looked all over for adaptors but they don't exist.

The 1 1/8" cups will not press into the the Schwinn headtube, have to use the original cups. The old bearings are large at @ 0.180"


The 1 1/8" headset uses smaller bearings (0.155") but the cage would not fit in the old cups, just a little too big, but close.


The smaller bearings gave me an idea, fill the cups with the smaller loose bearings, no cage. Purchased these bearings at BP for $4.


Obviously have to use the 1 1/8" inner bearing races, checked the fit, was OK. I'm sure there will be a break in period as the bearings roll on a slightly different area. I thought I was done at this point but nope, one more situation. I knew the 1 1/8" steerer would fit through the cups for the most part but it turns out the steerer gets 0.020" thicker towards the crown and would not fully insert. Damn.


Not going to mess around with the fork, decided to grind out the cup 0.010" per side carefully with a dremel and a round/flat bit. Basicly just taking off the chrome and a small amount of steel.


Success, it can be done. Spins free and not loose. A better suspension. lighter, probably stronger, and a brake mount. Stoked.

 

the things you do when we dont jam.....lol

 

Thanks for the pics! I want to upgrade the fork on my youngest son's bike but like your old bike, it accepts a 1" steerer tube. I've been toying with the idea of cutting the old head tube from the frame and welding on a new 1 1/8" head tube but your method seems like it'll cause me less grief

 

So when are we gonna get to see those Fully Loop band vids?

 

Drop a Girvin Vector fork with a Risse shock on that thing and she will be pimpin

 

Can you tell I got a little bored yesterday?

Now thats going to drastic measures. Glad I could help.

Soon!

Pimp'n aint pimp'n aint easy now. That's one engineered fork there. No disc brake mount though.


Took the cruiser out to Fully. No problems. Amazing this old beast rides well for a 34 lb SS. Two lbs lighter than with the springer. Added a wheel with disc brake. Now I can stop this rig with confidence.

 

you dont need no stinkin disc brake http://gomeansgo.org/2011/12/07/klunking-in-bellingham

love your project. its easy to swipe a card for stuff, but fabrication, its the chitz!

 

Awesome! Gave me an idea for an old vintage Schwinn road bike resto project. Thanks.

 

Paging 1FGrider..

 

grego I will be taking a page from your build and add disc fork to the front of my coaster bike

 

dang that girvin fork brings back memories

 

Greg can i get that springer fork from you if you dont want it?

 

I have a Rockshox Mag21 that might find some use again...

 

Sorry Rich, I've got plans for the springer.

 

That bike reminds me of the dude at oth with the 30s era bike...

Pretty crazy seeing a modernish fork on an old school cruiser!

 

Ah cool, I'm glad you were able to figure out how to make it work. I didn't think it was possible.
You are going to have to keep an eye on the bearing wear since now that the bearings, cups and races are a different pitch.

 

Yeah, of twisted up fork legs and broken clavicles.

 

Or you coulda bought these and it would work too:
1" threadless headset:


http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_204376_-1___202438

1" steel steer tube with shim:

http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=420636

or at Jenson (just remember to down select the 1" Threadless:

http://www.jensonusa.com/Steerer-Tubes/RST-Steerer-Tubes


Then put your suspension fork carefully in a hydraulic press and push out the old steer tube then press in the new one and mount yer hardware. Easy Peasy!

 

The best way to mount a modern fork in a pre-war frame is to get a King headset and send it to http://www.mrtick.us/ Just go to the site, email him and send him your headset. He will turn it down for you on his lathe for 15 dollars. I used one and it worked perfect.

 

Or you just use your dremel like grego did and spend nothing