Bicycle Mechanics - Old CCM seeks new headset

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silver_ghost
08-01-08, 10:09 AM
Hey everyone,

I have a Canadian made CCM Silver Ghost that I brought back from the dead and ride every day. I know CCM's aren't the prettiest or most refined bikes as far as Classic and Vintage goes but it is unique, fun to ride and I love it. My problem is that someone in this bike's past seems to have tightened the crap out of the headset and severly pitted the races.

I tried replacing the headset with a standart 1 inch threaded unit but the fork crown race wouldn't stay put. It seems that the welded sleeve on the steer tube is slightly smaller in diameter than every other bike in the world. The original race went back on no problem so I don't think the sleeve is worn, just CCM size, perhaps.

Anyone ever run into this problem on a bike like this? Anyone happen to have an old CCM headset sitting in the garage? I'll trade you some french bottom bracket cups!:)

(cross posted in C&V)

tellyho
08-01-08, 11:48 AM
There are two standards for headset sizing, JIS and ISO. I haven't had to deal with this, so my level of knowledge ends there. I suspect you have the larger and less common of the two. Do some digging on Sheldon Brown's site and see. Both can still be bought.
tellyho
08-01-08, 05:07 PM
Well, I went looking and I can't think of a situation that would explain your circumstances. Take a look yourself and see what you think.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ha-i.html

Scroll down to headset.

silver_ghost
08-02-08, 02:45 AM
Yeah, see, early CCMs seem to have all been produced in the company's Canadian factories, and they never cared much for "standards". Much like older British Raleighs and many French bikes, bikes made by CCM have odd and unusual dimensions which can make it difficult to find replacement parts.

The diameter of the steer tube where the fork crown race installs on a CCM fork is smaller than all three 1" standards.

Some folks over in Classic and Vintage have some good insight into this problem, if you're nerdy enough to care.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=448799