Fork. rotating too easily

[Cyclothesist]

...The Spa very much accords to traditional, British manufacturing standards (Nb. British Leyland)

....
I'm glad you like your Giant, but I would like to point out that it hasn't been ridden 31 miles without the benefit of pneumatic tyres, either.

Or has it?!!
On this thread I wouldn't rule out any possibilities yet.

[Keezx]

The rim hadn't & hasn't any damage. Rim was narrow enough & sufficient care taken to ensure the collapsed tyre was effectively wrapped around the rim throughout the miles, at walking speed

I’m prepared to carry on with helping solve the steering problem but I simply can’t accept this as a fact.

According my expieriences with riding on flat tyres it's very well possible to ride a significent distance (> 10 mls) on a flat tyre, wrapped around a light racing rim (DT Swiss RR411) without any damage to that rim and and only sligtht damage to a light racing tyre (Veloflex master)., riding speed 15-20 km/h..
The very flexible side wall of the tyre likely prevented it running of the rim and kept it centered...
Why a wheelbaring would collapse during this event is beyond my understanding though...unless it had already a considarably amount of play..

PS, did'nt even had to true the wheel after that ride..

[richardfm]

I wonder if the OP has fixed his fork yet....

[joshua3]

I occasionally wonder the same thing. It was the perfect thread for the Christmas period really, gave many of us something to ponder whilst subjected to rehashed turkey and bumble and squeek.

[gxaustin]

I had a titanium frame on which the headset exhibited play after a while. I found that I couldn't adjust the play using the normal adjustment. I took it apart (it was a Hope), reinstalled it and the problem went for a while, but later returned. I got some measuring instruments out and found that the head tube hadn't been cut off level. The lower cup went in square, but after use became tilted as it rested on an angled surface. Could you have a similar problem? Maybe the road shocks were magnified by the absence of air in the tyre and the cup race tilted?
I filed my head tube level, checking with a very long caliper and an accurate set square, until it was square. The process was made more difficult because the top of the tube was a bit crooked too. It's been OK since.

[gbnz]

I wonder if the OP has fixed his fork yet....

No. 8yr old Spa's part dismantled in storage. Having a bike that works was too important.....so had the 22yr old Giant on the road past weeks, c/w ad hoc rack and mudguard fittings...........Giant has been incredible, but too delicate for winter/load carrying..............given that a bike is too important (Nb. past 4.5 months, 07.15am - 08.00am, has been the only period in which I've never had a bike on the road )

Took an Hr to make immediate purchase of a late 90's clearance Trek, similar frame to Giant, but c/w range of rack/mudguard fitting points, more suitable braking systems the lot (Nb. Cost pays for itself, as it effectively provides a range of parts, FOC)

If it looks like the Spa can be sorted / will probably have an absolute dismantle, even an auto respray, when times available

[fastpedaller]

Maybe sort out the headset problem before the frame is resprayed?

[gbnz]

Maybe sort out the headset problem before the frame is resprayed?

Yes, would definitely verify whether the headset/frame can be sorted, prior to spending any more cash/time on it

[fastpedaller]

If you send some photos there are people here who may well be able to identify the fault.!

[rareposter]

If you send some photos there are people here who may well be able to identify the fault.!

I suspect the fault (if there is one at all) is something only a very good bike shop with the appropriate alignment tools and gauges could ever identify.

There is a significant other fault and that's an owner who'd willingly ride a bike with a punctured front wheel for nearly 6hrs...

[gbnz]

If you send some photos there are people here who may well be able to identify the fault.!

I suspect the fault (if there is one at all) is something only a very good bike shop with the appropriate alignment tools and gauges could ever identify.

There is a significant other fault and that's an owner who'd willingly ride a bike with a punctured front wheel for nearly 6hrs...

True, could be an alignment fault, of some sort. The number of headset replacements required, does suggest somethings wrong

But having immediately required transport/cycling requirements.......unusually as a tight £'s person, took 1 Hour to definitely decide to buy a new bike*. Delivered this week. Will review all posts in detail, as would like to sort out the Spa, if it's possible (Nb. Have considered cost/time, in sorting out an arrangement via Spa's. May not be necessary). (*Nb. Typically worked out that value of the parts on the 90s style, clearance, quality bike ,prior to handing over card details? Justified it's purchase, both as an immediate bike, ready for use & as a source of spares, for years !)