Advice needed re front fork.

[Stevec047]

Just took the bike apart to put into the car and as I slid the bike in the boot I noticed the below on the front fork.

It looks like the paint has cracked but not sure if this has compromised the whole fork.

What are your suggestions or advice. Do I sand it down and spray over it with rust inhibitor and then paint over or is it more serious?

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Try to pull the forks apart at the dropouts and I mean give them good old push / pull. If the weld has cracked or is of poor quality you'll see the gap get bigger.

If you're really concerned go to an engineering supply shop and get some weld test dye - comes in two cans with instructions.

 

[S-Express]

It's just a bit or rust which has pushed up the paint a bit. Sand it and put some inhibitor on it if you like, but it will probably return at some stage.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Cosmetic rust. Once you've removed the rust and manipulated the fork as Mr Rohloff above suggested, you'll feel much better about it. The very location of the spot you suspect for a crack is an unlikely place for a fork crack to start.

 

[Stevec047]

Thanks for all the advice. Was a little worried it could of been more than just a crack in the paint. Will clean it up and look to respray the affected area before the winter hits.

 

[Stevec047]

Update on the fork. After cleaning it off it seems as if there is a very small failure in the weld.

Being a steel front fork and weighing in rather heavy I have two options the first is to get it cleaned off and new weld added to the failed part as the overall strength of the fork hasn't yet been and issue.

Or I could look to upgrade to a lighter alloy version but funds are very tight so couldn't really push to anything fancy even though I would love a nice carbon fork.

What is the consensus of you helpful bunch?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Photo of the weld?