Steerer length

[Johnymak]

Looking at replacing my vintage forks

The old and new are Both 1 inch diameter threaded

Forks steerer that I have are 5 .5 inches in length
With a 1 inch thread

I'm looking to put on chrome forks with a steerer length of 7 inches with a 2 inch thread

With out cutting the steerer Could I just add a spacer to the current headset

 

[I like Skol]

Don't see why not, although if it were me i would probably get an additional locknut to sit against the top bearing and then put the spacer above that, held in place by the original crown locknut.

 

[si_c]

Yeah, that'll work. It'll look ugly, but it will work.

A better solution would be to increase the stack height of the headset a bit and then cut the steerer down by an inch.

Of course this just raises the question, what's wrong with the existing forks?

 

[Johnymak]

Yeah, that'll work. It'll look ugly, but it will work.

A better solution would be to increase the stack height of the headset a bit and then cut the steerer down by an inch.

Of course this just raises the question, what's wrong with the existing forks?

The existing forks just aren't chrome and I've been offered a good set at a good price I feel they could just show the bike off as most / all of the components will be buffed alloy

 

[Johnymak]

Can i cut off about 1 inch
From the bottom of the stem theres plenty of length on it

 

[Smokin Joe]

Can i cut off about 1 inch
From the bottom of the stem theres plenty of length on it

Easily. It will leave you with the same amount of thread you have on your current steerer, though if you want to cut a bit more off any LBS should be able to cut you a longer thread.

 

[fossyant]

What Smokin Joe says - I wouldn't mess about with spacers on a standard headset (good luck finding 1" ones) as you use the quill stem to adjust bar height - adding in extra spacers will put the quill stem's 'locking wedge' further towards the top. Just get the fork thread cut longer and lop off the top.

PS the top lock nut can't go below the steerer, unlike on ahead stems, so you'd need quite a few spacers.

 

[Ajax Bay]

held in place by the original crown locknut.

Didn't realise a threaded steerer had a 'crown locknut'. Would have thought a 7" steerer tube would stick up right out of a headtube which a 5 1/2" steerer fitted and you'd be able to see the threaded portion which stuck out. The quill stem would go into the top of that.

I've been offered a good set at a good price I feel they could just show the bike off

Not if it's set up f'ugly as above.
@Smokin Joe has pointed the OP in the optimal direction: ask an LBS to cut another 1/2" of thread on the 7" steerer and then cut 1 1/2" off.

 

[rogerzilla]

Leave at least 40mm of stack height (difference between steerer length and head tube length). Cut it down to 32mm for some hesdsets and you'll regret it ever after.

 

[gilespargiter]

". . . PS the top lock nut can't go below the steerer, unlike on ahead stems, so you'd need quite a few spacers.[/QUOTE]

The quill fits through it but the steerer doesn't.