Is this fork bent?

[shawn57187]

I'm not much of a road bike guy (in fact, I've never owned one before!) and I just picked up a vintage Trek 560 project bike. The guy who owned it is a bicycle mechanic and swears the fork isn't bent, I feel otherwise. Usually the fork should line up perfectly with the head tube...or is it different for road bikes? The front wheel is original and true, so I'm thinking there is a possibility he could be right.

What do you guys think? If its bent, I'm gonna start hunting for a new one.

I also found this picture for reference:

 

[dougfisk]

I agree that it is bent, but only slightly. They can be straightened. MY LBS does it for $25.

 

[scrumblero]

I cant really tell , but you are correct. the fork tubes should line up or be raked forward of the steerer.

 

[Slinginrods]

Ji by slinginrods, on Flickr heres mine ive seen other forks that look like this

 

[dougfisk]

Ji by slinginrods, on Flickr heres mine ive seen other forks that look like this

Yours is bent too...

 

[Slinginrods]

yeah ,it probably will make a difference at 40 mph :roll: ,but other than the looks it wont even be a factor .i like the bobber effect it has on my build.funny though when it was on the schwinn it came on it didnt look that bent,alot of it has to do with the head tube angle.

 

[Danimal]

 

[ozzmonaut]

That's factory equipment :lol:

 

[mikeeebikey]

That fork isn't bent it's twisted!