Has anyone swapped steer heads on forks?

[Schwinny]

I need a longer steer head but the fork I want to use isn't long enough.
I've seen where people have chopped them and welded but has anyone heated the crown, pulled one out and replaced with a longer head?
Before I ruin two forks it would be nice to know if this will work....

 

[the tinker]

I've seen forks broken at that spot and reattached. Problem was, when brazed back on the bearing race wouldn't fit correctly, as it did with the factory welding. Just cut the fork and have the extension welded on halfway up. Make sure that bottom race is already on the bottom end before you weld. Iv'e fixed several forks this way. Don't mess will the bottom end if you don't have to..

 

[fat tire trader]

I drilled the steerer out of a Hawthorne springer fork and brazed a new one in. It came out perfect. It was more than 30 years ago, when I did it. I do not remember what I did about mounting the crown race.

 

[Schwinny]

That makes sense. Especially the race being on.
That is something later I would look back on and say "I shoulda..."
Trying to get it right the first time.

 

[ricobike]

If you're cutting the steerer tube and using a piece from a donor fork, I think the correct way to do this is to use a sleeve inside the tubes being welded to give it extra strength. Just make sure you cut it low enough that you don't interfere with the stem. You definitely don't want the fork to come apart!

 

[Schwinny]

If you're cutting the steerer tube and using a piece from a donor fork, I think the correct way to do this is to use a sleeve inside the tubes being welded to give it extra strength. Just make sure you cut it low enough that you don't interfere with the stem. You definitely don't want the fork to come apart!

Already considered the cutting it low to avoid stem issues but the inner sleeve is a great idea.
I can make a sleeve out of a dead stem shank.
.... I'm feeling it

 

[Gordon]

A friend of mine replaced his by getting it red hot with a torch and hammering it out and then driving in a new one.

 

[ricobike]

Already considered the cutting it low to avoid stem issues but the inner sleeve is a great idea.
I can make a sleeve out of a dead stem shank.
.... I'm feeling it

One more tip, when cutting it's best to use a tubing cutter. This will ensure straight edges that will butt up against each other making welding it easier. You can also chamfer the edges to make the weld stronger.

 

[Schwinny]

A friend of mine replaced his by getting it red hot with a torch and hammering it out and then driving in a new one.

That was my initial question.
I think that will work but my concern with it is making the crown brittle or disturbing the fork to crown brazing. It's not a one piece fork-crown. The more I think about it the better chop and weld sounds.

 

[Schwinny]

One more tip, when cutting it's best to use a tubing cutter. This will ensure straight edges that will butt up against each other making welding it easier. You can also chamfer the edges to make the weld stronger.

I don't own a welder anymore, I'll have to have a friend do it. I used to have a Marquette gas MIG on a cart but rarely used it so sold it off. I can prep everything though. A chop saw should make sure the cuts match.
The plan is coming together. Ill prep it up today and get it put back together next week.