someone with CNC machining ability

[maverick]

Hello RB world, I need your help please.

I have a set of PACE forks but the bridge has a crack, its made of magnesium. I don't think I can get a replacement, but does anyone out there in RB land have CNC machining ability?

I have approached a few local companies but as it's not a massive job worth £1000's they don't seem to be that keen.

I will happily pay for the 2 new bridges to be made, they don't need to match the complicated contours of the original, flat steel will do the job, I can then maybe get them painted or dipped.

Any help in this area would be great.

Thanks

Mark

 

[mechanical_vandal]

CNC not a bit overkill?

Pretty sure you could knock one up with pretty basic hand tools and some elbow grease.

A metal bandsaw and pillar drill are really the only power tools I can imagine being useful in anyway.

If you lack the tools/skills to do it yourself by hand, make one in cardboard, buy some steel (or ali) plate off eBay and some Jaffa cakes from the corner shop and 5 minutes at a local welding/fabrication place should see you sorted.

 

[roadking]

Hello RB world, I need your help please.

I have a set of PACE forks but the bridge has a crack, its made of magnesium. I don't think I can get a replacement, but does anyone out there in RB land have CNC machining ability?

I have approached a few local companies but as it's not a massive job worth £1000's they don't seem to be that keen.

I will happily pay for the 2 new bridges to be made, they don't need to match the complicated contours of the original, flat steel will do the job, I can then maybe get them painted or dipped.

Any help in this area would be great.

Thanks

Mark

I can help, and forgive me do you actually know what CNC machining is ? It's a milling machine controlled by a computer (CNC = Computer Numerical Control).

There are many firms (all over) capable of taking on a simple job like yours - doesn't need CNC, just a competent miller on an analogue machine.

You mention"flat steel", I'm guessing here that milling is not what you need (you're talking about a fork brace). I could get done what you need easily (that's not an offer).

Rk.

 

[hamster]

What Pace fork is it? I have a spare plate from a scrapped pair...

 

[tufty]

I have a set of PACE forks but the bridge has a crack, its made of magnesium.

I would be quite surprised to find that it was actually magnesium, as opposed to an aluminium alloy with some magnesium in it. After all, magnesium, like the other metals in the same group, reacts fairly vigorously with water, and it's *ahem* "slightly flammable".

If it's an aluminium alloy with magnesium in it, it might be weldable. If it's actually magnesium, set fire to it, "for science".

 

[nodding dog]

Re:

There was a bike on eBay recently that had RC36s with home-made carbon braces, so it's certainly DIY-able.

Just be aware that the magnesium ones are not completely flat - they're profiled at the top of the arch in order to clear the steerer bulge in the crown.

 

[maverick]

Re:

So it may not be as simple as I planned.

They are year 2000 RC 36 Evo 3 forks.

http://www.goatsurfer.com/pace_forks.html

I assume that the bridge is Magnesium as that's what is stamped on it, If it is I will certainly be disposing of it in a responsible adult style with fire.

I will remove the offending part and see if its a smooth or contoured backing plate. Sadly I have no skills to make one beyond a piece of MDF. If it is Aluminium I'll see if someone can fix it. Hopefully.

Cheers all.

 

[jimo746]

Re:

How bad of a crack are we talking? A hairline crack? Or a complete break? I think these braces had problems with crack appearing around the bolt holes, but that shouldn't affect the performance too much.

I'd probably put a "Wanted" ad for a replacement brace, buy another set of RC36's for spares (as long as the braces are ok), or just live with the crack.