Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

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Bice
Posts: 292
Joined: 18 May 2020, 7:33pm

Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by Bice »

Image

I need to fit a new headset for this old bike.

I have removed the old headset, cups and crown race. I have ordered a new one (made of steel, which I think are likely to be less problematic on a cheap bike with so-so tolerances).

It is a 1 inch headset.

I am happy banging in the steel cups with a wooden mallet, but any thoughts on fitting the crown race?

If I use plumbers plastic piping, any idea of the size for going over a one-inch steerer?

(My old headset - bit of a gash mixture of old Raleigh steel and Miche aluminium has just been insanely over-tightened and ruined by someone who really hadn't a clue in the local bike shop. Suppose the young lad only does threadless these days Now completely impossible to tighten the headset properly.)
Daily: Carlton Courette 1982 mixte 42, 32, 22 x7
Van Nicholas Yukon titanium 50/34 10sp
Lazzaretti steel 1996 10sp 48/34
Trek 1.7 10sp 3x 2010;
Ciocc steel 1984 50/34x7
Marin Bolinas Ridge MTB c1995, 7x42, 34, 24
Scott Scale carbon MTB 27.5 inch
rjb
Posts: 7183
Joined: 11 Jan 2007, 10:25am
Location: Somerset (originally 60/70's Plymouth)

Re: Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by rjb »

Make sure you get the correct size. Measure the one you remove to check if it's an ISO 26.4mm or jis 27.0mm you need. :wink:
I use a steel tube to knock mine on.
Be aware that older raleigh bikes had a propriety size of fork threading as listed in Sheldon Browns crib sheet here. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-headsets.html
Last edited by rjb on 9 Jun 2021, 7:41pm, edited 2 times in total.
At the last count:- Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X3, Raleigh 20 stowaway, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840 :D
drossall
Posts: 6106
Joined: 5 Jan 2007, 10:01pm
Location: North Hertfordshire

Re: Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by drossall »

I take it you don't have a crown-race fitting tool? Mine has a sleeve and does both sizes.
mattsccm
Posts: 5095
Joined: 28 Nov 2009, 9:44pm

Re: Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by mattsccm »

A bit of care and you will get it to seat properly with just a hammer and a softish drift. Just go all the way round gently. Takes a bit more finesse that using a tool but nothing special. I even used a block of wood once with a inch hole in it to avoid tapping the race but decied that a brass punch was easier.
David9694
Posts: 908
Joined: 10 Feb 2018, 8:42am

Re: Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by David9694 »

Er, something around the 1” mark?
Not sure this would be strong enough if you meet resistance. Some crown races slide on by hand.
Spa Audax Ti Ultegra; Genesis Equilibrium 853; Raleigh Record Ace 1983; “Raleigh Competition”, “Raleigh Gran Sport 1982”; “Allegro Special”, Bob Jackson tourer, Ridley alu step-through with Swytch front wheel; gravel bike from an MB Dronfield 531 frame.
Steve O'C
Posts: 165
Joined: 3 Mar 2013, 1:32pm

Re: Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by Steve O'C »

Heat up the crown race in the oven before fitting to expand it.
gxaustin
Posts: 890
Joined: 23 Sep 2015, 12:07pm

Re: Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by gxaustin »

I always put the cups in the freezer to help them go in the head tube.
Bice
Posts: 292
Joined: 18 May 2020, 7:33pm

Re: Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by Bice »

mattsccm wrote: 9 Jun 2021, 8:53pm A bit of care and you will get it to seat properly with just a hammer and a softish drift. Just go all the way round gently. Takes a bit more finesse that using a tool but nothing special. I even used a block of wood once with a inch hole in it to avoid tapping the race but decided that a brass punch was easier.
I bought a Neco steel headset off ebay, which is good.

To fit the crown race, I fit front wheel and tyre to soften impact and tapped around the crown race with an old flat head screw driver and a light hammer. It took a while, but worked fine. The other races I hammered in with a wooden mallet. Then loaded up them with loose balls, discarding the bearings that came with it in clamps. Thanks Brucey.

It should last without me having to think about it for years.

PS Best grease gun I have encountered is a hypodermic syringe and blunt needle. Very handy for regreasing items such as Campag Ergopower shifters that I cleaned out with parafin.
Daily: Carlton Courette 1982 mixte 42, 32, 22 x7
Van Nicholas Yukon titanium 50/34 10sp
Lazzaretti steel 1996 10sp 48/34
Trek 1.7 10sp 3x 2010;
Ciocc steel 1984 50/34x7
Marin Bolinas Ridge MTB c1995, 7x42, 34, 24
Scott Scale carbon MTB 27.5 inch
rogerzilla
Posts: 2876
Joined: 9 Jun 2008, 8:06pm

Re: Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by rogerzilla »

An old bit of frame tubing, usually seat tube with the butt at the business end*, is often used as a 1" crown race setter. The proper technique is to hold the tool steady and bang the fork onto it, so it doesn't matter so much that the tubing weighs less than a proper tool. You can always rest the "tool" on the ground.

You have to cut the tube very straight at the end so, if you don't already have a tube saw guide, you might as well buy a crown race setter. Then you can do 1 1/8" races as well.

*about 27mm internal diameter
Bice
Posts: 292
Joined: 18 May 2020, 7:33pm

Re: Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by Bice »

rogerzilla wrote: 15 Jun 2021, 9:31am An old bit of frame tubing, usually seat tube with the butt at the business end*, is often used as a 1" crown race setter. The proper technique is to hold the tool steady and bang the fork onto it, so it doesn't matter so much that the tubing weighs less than a proper tool. You can always rest the "tool" on the ground.

You have to cut the tube very straight at the end so, if you don't already have a tube saw guide, you might as well buy a crown race setter. Then you can do 1 1/8" races as well.

*about 27mm internal diameter
That's an interesting tip: so, you can just take out the seat post, insert the fork with crown race and press / knock it in?

I actually preferred the approach of tapping the inner edge of the crown race, as there is enough of it for a screw driver. But it does go slightly askew, so you need to be careful with the gentle tapping.
Daily: Carlton Courette 1982 mixte 42, 32, 22 x7
Van Nicholas Yukon titanium 50/34 10sp
Lazzaretti steel 1996 10sp 48/34
Trek 1.7 10sp 3x 2010;
Ciocc steel 1984 50/34x7
Marin Bolinas Ridge MTB c1995, 7x42, 34, 24
Scott Scale carbon MTB 27.5 inch
mattheus
Posts: 5030
Joined: 29 Dec 2008, 12:57pm
Location: Western Europe

Re: Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by mattheus »

Nice picture!

(are the colours filtered a little? I know naff-all about photo processing - or in fact photography generally ... )

I also have nothing useful to add to this thread; but have an interest, as my commuter will need this job doing very soon :-/
rogerzilla
Posts: 2876
Joined: 9 Jun 2008, 8:06pm

Re: Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by rogerzilla »

Bice wrote: 16 Jun 2021, 10:34am
rogerzilla wrote: 15 Jun 2021, 9:31am An old bit of frame tubing, usually seat tube with the butt at the business end*, is often used as a 1" crown race setter. The proper technique is to hold the tool steady and bang the fork onto it, so it doesn't matter so much that the tubing weighs less than a proper tool. You can always rest the "tool" on the ground.

You have to cut the tube very straight at the end so, if you don't already have a tube saw guide, you might as well buy a crown race setter. Then you can do 1 1/8" races as well.

*about 27mm internal diameter
That's an interesting tip: so, you can just take out the seat post, insert the fork with crown race and press / knock it in?

I actually preferred the approach of tapping the inner edge of the crown race, as there is enough of it for a screw driver. But it does go slightly askew, so you need to be careful with the gentle tapping.
Seat TUBE! It involves cutting up a scrap frame.
Bice
Posts: 292
Joined: 18 May 2020, 7:33pm

Re: Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by Bice »

rogerzilla wrote: 16 Jun 2021, 8:47pm Seat TUBE! It involves cutting up a scrap frame.
Only if you are a glutton for punishment ...
Daily: Carlton Courette 1982 mixte 42, 32, 22 x7
Van Nicholas Yukon titanium 50/34 10sp
Lazzaretti steel 1996 10sp 48/34
Trek 1.7 10sp 3x 2010;
Ciocc steel 1984 50/34x7
Marin Bolinas Ridge MTB c1995, 7x42, 34, 24
Scott Scale carbon MTB 27.5 inch
Bice
Posts: 292
Joined: 18 May 2020, 7:33pm

Re: Fit crown race to one inch threaded headset

Post by Bice »

mattheus wrote: 16 Jun 2021, 2:57pm Nice picture!

(are the colours filtered a little? I know naff-all about photo processing - or in fact photography generally ... )

I also have nothing useful to add to this thread; but have an interest, as my commuter will need this job doing very soon :-/
No, straight out of a Canon MK IV. I hate the 'digital darkroom', having loved the real one.
Daily: Carlton Courette 1982 mixte 42, 32, 22 x7
Van Nicholas Yukon titanium 50/34 10sp
Lazzaretti steel 1996 10sp 48/34
Trek 1.7 10sp 3x 2010;
Ciocc steel 1984 50/34x7
Marin Bolinas Ridge MTB c1995, 7x42, 34, 24
Scott Scale carbon MTB 27.5 inch
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