bleedingfingers
Finally riding a big boys bike
I'm Going with both methods stretch it or cut it .
If the bike was some Holy Grail original paint item that might be different but you can always weld a piece back in .
It will be way easier to change tires fix flats etc . if you cut it .
If you do stretch it it shouldn't break but there's always a chance that it might or may crack .
I have one on one of my bikes that after stripping several layers of old paint off was cracked in 3 places probably from being stretched over many decades of tire changes .
The forks I've have are closed on both ends and the hubs do not have lock nuts on the cones .
If the bike was some Holy Grail original paint item that might be different but you can always weld a piece back in .
It will be way easier to change tires fix flats etc . if you cut it .
If you do stretch it it shouldn't break but there's always a chance that it might or may crack .
I have one on one of my bikes that after stripping several layers of old paint off was cracked in 3 places probably from being stretched over many decades of tire changes .
The forks I've have are closed on both ends and the hubs do not have lock nuts on the cones .