mad with myself
Author
Discussion

2volvos

Original Poster:

660 posts

230 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
Seriously p'ed off and mad with myself for forgetting that I had my bike on the roof when taking daughter to swimming club with the plan of an hours ride while she trains. Only problem is the 2m barrier into the car park....you can guess the rest.

Looks like the only damage apart from the front mud guard is the front fork bent out of shape. They don't look like they are linked at all. Can they be straightened as I don't think I'll find a replacement as the bike is a 1975 Peugeot. Unless anyone can advise on any specific old bike spares places other than the obvious EBay....

Jimbo.

4,219 posts

218 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
They can probably be straightened, yes. Even if they're goosed, Argos Cycles, Paul Hewitt etc. will be able to fix them. All is not lost smile

Japsteeze

57 posts

172 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
Generally all steel forks of that era are the same diameter headtube and same threads etc. Pretty much any other 1970s set of steel forks should do the job. (Assuming its a road bike)

If they've not been bent too far (less than ~5deg) then bending them back should be ok. If they're badly bent though they'll just crack when you try to straighten them.

2volvos

Original Poster:

660 posts

230 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
I'd say it's gone a fair bit more than 5 degrees but good to know there may be a few replacements out there. It is a road bike running 28 inch wheels. I shal start my investigation tomorrow...

CoolC

4,500 posts

243 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
The roadie section of www.retrobike.co.uk will be a very helpful place too.

blippo1984

358 posts

175 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
Start with argos racing cycles in Bristol - they specialise in fixing, repainting and etc classic bikes.

2volvos

Original Poster:

660 posts

230 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
Have spoken to the chap I bought it off - a local Bicycle Repair Man! - and he reckons it'll be a fork replacement. Thankfully he's got a load of old forks in his workshop so hopefully one will fit and I'll be back on the road before too long.

CoolC

4,500 posts

243 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
2volvos said:
Bicycle Repair Man!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eCdIe0wdvU

biggrin

GinGinA

8 posts

173 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
Try a garage.
They always have reasonable second hand parts at good condition.
Just make sure you arent paying the price for a new one!

2volvos

Original Poster:

660 posts

230 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
No ordinary man!! Haha...

My brother reckons I should go down the insurance route and get a new for old...now what would be the modern equivalent of an old Pug? Shurely a Pinarello or Bianchi! A nice Wilier?

No, I'll check out the stock of old forks Bicycle Repair Man has first.

Thanks for not ribbing me too much for the initial stupidity of crashing into the barrier in the first place! I probably deserve it...

CoolC

4,500 posts

243 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
2volvos said:
Thanks for not ribbing me too much for the initial stupidity of crashing into the barrier in the first place! I probably deserve it...
TBF I should imagine it's quite easy to do (as you've proved)

I keep thinking about rigging up a little mirror on the front edge of the dash looking up at the bikes on the roof. It was more to keep an eye on any excessive wobbling but should work at reminding you when getting to a barrier too.

Captain Beaky

1,389 posts

313 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
CoolC said:
2volvos said:
Thanks for not ribbing me too much for the initial stupidity of crashing into the barrier in the first place! I probably deserve it...
TBF I should imagine it's quite easy to do (as you've proved)

I keep thinking about rigging up a little mirror on the front edge of the dash looking up at the bikes on the roof. It was more to keep an eye on any excessive wobbling but should work at reminding you when getting to a barrier too.
yes Sunroof does this job for me, it's saved my bikes a couple of times.

daz3210

5,000 posts

269 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
I measured mine, 12ft clearance needed for safe passage was what I worked out.

2volvos

Original Poster:

660 posts

230 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
daz3210 said:
I measured mine, 12ft clearance needed for safe passage was what I worked out.
Matron!

needabike

81 posts

169 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
Might be useful as a gentle reminder when carrying a bike on the roof.


2volvos

Original Poster:

660 posts

230 months

Friday 24th August 2012
quotequote all
So last night took the battered Peugeot to Bicycle Repair Man and he either has some chrome forks that will fit or can order a replacement in.

He also reckons that he has a front mudguard as well so I might get it back pretty much as it was before the accident.



I dearly hope that will be the case as it broke my heart to see the poor thing dangling off the car park barrier by its handlebar like Mussolini on his lamp post. It wasn't a pretty sight, crumpled chrome mudguard and front wheel askew.

Rest assured from now on it's going in the boot.

2volvos

Original Poster:

660 posts

230 months

Friday 24th August 2012
quotequote all
OK so Bicycle Repair Man has excelled himself and pulled the Peugeot back from the dead.

Phew!!








2volvos

Original Poster:

660 posts

230 months

Friday 24th August 2012
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
In the general understanding of the word I guess not really - I've only owned it since April this year.

But since then I have loved riding it. Round the lanes of Worcestershire at home, in Cornwall on holiday and in London when working there and it has become a pal. And as you would with a classic car I think of myself as a custodian of it. The thought of a 1975 or so bike ending up in my hands and getting a lot of riding makes me happy. I think it must have spent a lot of its life in an garage not doing much judging by its condition and I like to think that the lease of life I've given it - ride outs at least 4 times a week for 20 odd miles - gives me satisfaction.

In the immediate aftermath of the accident it broke my heart to think that after a short time in my ownership I'd destroyed it by my stupidity, so the fact that a mere 72 hours after that I've got it back and fit to carry on rolling is very satisfying.