[onsite511]

92 Karakoram fork help

Hello everyone I just joined and wanted to say hey. I'm also new to mtn biking. I've also got a little problem. Yesterday I performed a spectacular endo (just part of my 4th of July adventure), but without any spectators. I was wondering if anyone has the stats/specs for the kind of fork that came stock on the 92 Karakoram. I'm totally clueless as to the terminology or what I need. Steerer? Suspension Corrected? Threadless? Threaded? Rake?

I think the front brakes are the cantilever type.

I'm just looking for a replacement, nothing fancy.

thanks for any help,

Bill

 

[fervor]

You want a 1 1/8" steerer. No suspension correction. It looks like a threaded steerer. You'll need to measure to find the correct length. From the bottom of the bottom headset race, to the top of threads (or headset lock rings.)

 

[onsite511]

Thanks for the help. I took the fork off last night (wasn't as hard as some people seem to think), measured it and found a replacement. Anyone have recommendations for what to repack the bearings with? I've got bearing grease from when I repacked the bearings on the 4Runner..that should work right?

 

[fervor]

Yes, that should work fine. You want a heavy, gooey grease that won't melt or breakdown. Was the fork threaded?

 

[onsite511]

Yes, the fork was threaded, just like you said.:thumbsup: thanks.

 

[onsite511]

Does 8 3/4 inches (~220 mm) sound correct for a length? I measured it and thats what I came up with. Just wondering as I managed to find a really cheap fork($9), and attempted to mount it on the frame just now and it came up short @ 6 inches. Crap. Just got all worked up..I need to think first...

 

[fervor]

8 3/4 sounds big, but then again your frame looks large. Where are you measuring from?

 

[onsite511]

I'm measuring from what I think is the headset race? (where that bearing washer fits), to the top of threads. The bike is large, I'm 6'1" and the guy I got it from is 6'4". I found one on ebay and bought it (I'm becoming a spare parts warehouse )

For the future, what would I need for a threadless conversion? It seems thats what everything has changed to. Is it as strong as the threaded design? I had a horrible bike accident when I was a kid and I'm a bit leery of that design; mainly because I don't know much about it.

 

[AndrewTO]

I'm measuring from what I think is the headset race? (where that bearing washer fits), to the top of threads. The bike is large, I'm 6'1" and the guy I got it from is 6'4". I found one on ebay and bought it (I'm becoming a spare parts warehouse )

For the future, what would I need for a threadless conversion? It seems thats what everything has changed to. Is it as strong as the threaded design? I had a horrible bike accident when I was a kid and I'm a bit leery of that design; mainly because I don't know much about it.

Holy nostalgia trip! My buddy had the EXACT same bike way back when. Nice to see.

For the threadless conversion you'd need a fork, threadless headset and stem. Obviously you'd want to make sure the fork has v-brake mounts (no, really, nowadays you need to check!).

Now, keep in mind threadless works a bit different than what you have. The fork's steerer tube would now be what the stem mounts on to. There is no more threaded cap, hence threadless. The compression of the assembly is taken care of via a star fangled nut that get's punched/pressed inside the steerer tube - easy enough with a hammer and long 6mm bolt. So, you'd need to measure from the bottom of the headset to the top of the stem, then subtract about 3mm (1/8") to be sure you've got a long enough fork. Also, IF you decide to keep your canti's then you'll want to be sure you add the thickness of the cable stop to your measurement - wouldn't it suck to forget that and have another fork with too short a steerer?!?!?! Yup, sure would!

Fear not converting to threadless - plenty strong. :thumbsup:

Added convenience in your case - you can easily use a hacksaw to shorten a steerer tube without worrying about having to cut threads.

If you decide to convert now or in the future be sure you find out about brakes and levers before you go out buying stuff, eh?!?!?! Trust me on this one.

Welcome to MTBR, Bill. Enjoy!

I almost miss my Timberline ..... almost.

 

[onsite511]

fixed final prdt

I did it! thanks for all the direction. Anyone need a threaded 26 inch fork w/ a 6 inch steerer tube?
Thats more like it.

 

[nikkisixx2]

Nice Job

Looks as good as new Bill. Andrew I just did some minor rebuilding of a '91 Timberline. Replaced the crank arms and biopace chainrings and replaced striped out shifters(front one wouldn't even shift anymore). Amazingly everything else still works.

:thumbsup:

John

 

[AndrewTO]

Great work keeping the ol' steel's running, guys! :thumbsup:

John - white with the black stripes? Mmmm, memories. My first real mtn bike (thanks to the insurance company) after I got hit by a car.

Bill - you might want to avoid the big/big combo like shown in your pic. You're not doing your drivetrain any favours. :nono: Looks good otherwise.

 

[nikkisixx2]

Great work keeping the ol' steel's running, guys! :thumbsup:

John - white with the black stripes? Mmmm, memories. My first real mtn bike (thanks to the insurance company) after I got hit by a car.

Bill - you might want to avoid the big/big combo like shown in your pic. You're not doing your drivetrain any favours. :nono: Looks good otherwise.

Andrew Yep White w/black. I'm a bit sentimental about it even though I just picked up a '06 Stumpy FSR. It weighs a ton but I still love it. Handing it down to my nephew.

John

P.S. there is a pic of the old boy in the "Post your GT here" thread.