Way Big Noleen Crosslinks structural question

[Jcshinkle]

I just purchased a very run down Way Big K2 4000 for what I think was a good price.  The forks alone are worth 2x what i paid.  It will mainly be a parts bike, or something for a future build. It has no dents, but is very neglected. My question is can I take a way big fork, drill new holes to accommodate the standard crosslink hardware  and steer tube (which I have from an extra fork) and still have a structurally sound fork? I dont want to bend the tubes and my goal is to create a fork for a 29" rim or a 26" rim with a 3.5 inch tire (fat tire bike with suspension that would make an awesome XC bike with a combo of the fork and tire). I would hate to ruin a rare, Waybig Noleen fork. I know that others have cut the tubes and welded together pieces to make 29" forks. Thanks for any input.

[Spokes]

Pop that sounds dodgy but could work. I can't remember if there are inserts inside the holes to stop the tubes crushing when clamped together. Strip them down and look. If they are just plain holes then in theory I don't see why not.
Although someone will probay say that altering the pivot points will potentially put more leverage on the legs increasing the stress.... Just a thought...anyone?

Chris

[Spokes]

Cool sig pic, do you live in Australia? 

Chris

[Jcshinkle]

It does have riveted backing plates for the bolt to screw into. That picture is a feature of the IPhone 5. Apple has specific software code that deals with orientation that other systems can't decipher. I just recently found that useless piece of info out. 

[kiwi]

i wouldnt do it.The tube is surprisingly thin.I would not conteplate it without  having exactly the same reinforcements for the new mounting points and maybe some kind of new plates to cover/reinforce the old holes

[Jcshinkle]

Thanks for the comments. I can't take the chance without more of an engineering background and welding skills. I would rather build a rare Way Big Proflex 4000 than take a chance and ruin something that is no longer made. 

[Colin]

If your objective is to increase the tyre clearance for a 29er or big 26 tire then one option is to cut the legs in their length and insert sufficient length to allow this. But of course the tubing is not round...........
I wouldn't personally try this, but is one way to go about it.

Main issue would be making sure the Brake bosses end up in the right place for the rim, but after all of this work it'd be worth going disc wouldn't it?

what about a 24" wheel with a big tyre?? (brakes won't work tho' !)

I've got 700c wheels with 1.125 road tires on my XP-X rear and Fournales front fork and have just about enough clearance at the back and plenty at the front, maybe even for an off road tire, I offered the wheel/tyre combo up to the original Vector II's and also had enough clearance, but was concerned that the Lower link might foul the tyre during suspension compression, anyway as the Vector didn't have a disc brake mount I went with the Fournales.

Next trial is a 700c wheel on the back of an x57 to do the same.

Col.