Bicycle Mechanics - Headset install question

Just installed a threaded Campy Record headset tonight. The cups went in fine using the proper tool. There is one small section (90 degrees on a 360 degree circle) on the bottom race that I can fit a .010 feeler gage between the cup and headtube face. Is this okay to leave alone or should I remove the cup and have the headtube faced.

Bottom line: Is there a tolerance for gap between the cup and headtube. Being an engineer, most things in this world have a tolerance but maybe we need zero here.

Headsets are not designed to have a gap on any portion. You have either not properly installed it or your headtube needs to be faced.

2 or 3 jager bombs and she'll face your head tube

http://i1.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/d3/42/624d_1.JPG

That's gross. Ebay should have removed the pic for sure.

Headsets are not designed to have a gap on any portion. You have either not properly installed it or your headtube needs to be faced.

So even a .010 gap in a 90 degree segment is bad? Wow. I didn't think this would be an issue with so much of the rest of the cup fully seated. Maybe Sheldon can shed some light on this topic.

Just installed a threaded Campy Record headset tonight. The cups went in fine using the proper tool. There is one small section (90 degrees on a 360 degree circle) on the bottom race that I can fit a .010 feeler gage between the cup and headtube face. Is this okay to leave alone or should I remove the cup and have the headtube faced.

Bottom line: Is there a tolerance for gap between the cup and headtube. Being an engineer, most things in this world have a tolerance but maybe we need zero here.If the race is square and doesn't wiggle, it's fine.

Sheldon "Perfect Is The Enemy Of Good Enough" Brown

If the race is square and doesn't wiggle, it's fine.

Sheldon "Perfect Is The Enemy Of Good Enough" Brown


Great, the perfect IS the enemy of the good, but "the race is square" is not a sloppy spec, amenable to "good enough!" It means to me "the alignment MUST be as right as available tools can make it."

On the several used frames where I've renewed the headset, I've only needed facing and reaming on one bike, based on not being able to get a good adjustment and smooth rotation. It was also a Stronglight, a bit less forgiving than a ball-based bearing.

Road Fan

That's gross. Ebay should have removed the pic for sure.

I've seen her on Ebay a lot - I think she's the one whe rebuilds those bikes.

That's gross. Ebay should have removed the pic for sure.

I dunno. Doesn't seem that gross to me.

If the race is square and doesn't wiggle, it's fine.

Sheldon "Perfect Is The Enemy Of Good Enough" Brown

Thanks Sheldon. We finished installing the fork and the bearings feel great...nice and silky smooth. Glad I didn't have to remove those gorgeous Record cups.