Classic & Vintage - Info on Headsets?

I bought an Atala bike that was converted to a fixed gear and I'm fixing the bike up (new paint job and new components to match the chrome). It currently has an Origin8 black headset and I'm looking for a replacement. Browsing around, I see something as cheap as a SunLite threaded headset (http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Chrome-Steel-Threaded-Headset/dp/B000WY70HU/ref=sr_1_1?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1317522946&sr=1-1) for $4 and then a lot more that go for $100-200. Any reason for some of the huge price differences? Am I ok getting the cheapy one?

The origin-8 is a good headset, are you just changing to go to chrome ? Velo Orange has one for 20 or 30$ that is vary good and one with aluminum cups and roller needle bearings.

Yup, I'm just changing so it'll match. Just wasn't sure how much I should invest in one and what difference I'd notice.

Is this (http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/headsets/vo-alloy-headset-in-iso-or-jis-size.html) the one you're referring to?

These are two very good headsets that will do what you need. Just be sure to get the correct size. http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/headsets/headsets-1-inch-threaded-jis.html

Do you know if you have a 27mm or a 26.4mm crown race ??? Pull the fork and pull off the crown race, old knife works ok. Then use calipers or take it to a bike shop. You might be able to use a ruler. Some Japanes bikes could have either size.

You could try the Origin8 in silver, too. I have one, and it works quite nice. It has a little black rubber flange on top, though, which some may not care for.

The beauty of the Origin8 is that it comes with both 26.4 and 27.0 fork crown races. You won't have to disassemble your existing headset before buying the replacement. And you'll have spare bearings if you need them. You actually wouldn't even need to remove the existing race.

http://www.amazon.com/reader/0933201958?_encoding=UTF8&page=14

and use the search inside this book function to look
for headset. You want to read pages 109-111 for
a good intro to the construction and durability issues
involved in headsets.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/trailresources_2172_24822135

Do you know if you have a 27mm or a 26.4mm crown race ??? Pull the fork and pull off the crown race, old knife works ok. Then use calipers or take it to a bike shop. You might be able to use a ruler. Some Japanes bikes could have either size.

No need to measure! Just popped it off and it has 26.4 right on the bottom of it. Glad I figured out I need that size. I figured just the 1" diameter was the important part.

You could try the Origin8 in silver, too. I have one, and it works quite nice. It has a little black rubber flange on top, though, which some may not care for.

The beauty of the Origin8 is that it comes with both 26.4 and 27.0 fork crown races. You won't have to disassemble your existing headset before buying the replacement. And you'll have spare bearings if you need them. You actually wouldn't even need to remove the existing race.

The bike is nearly disassembled as it's about to get a new paint job.

http://www.amazon.com/reader/0933201958?_encoding=UTF8&page=14

and use the search inside this book function to look
for headset. You want to read pages 109-111 for
a good intro to the construction and durability issues
involved in headsets.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/trailresources_2172_24822135

Thanks! Pretty nifty feature that I never knew Amazon had. I may end up reading this in the book but am I going to need any special headset install tools to put it on? I saw a video online of a bike shop using quite a big tool that squishes them together but wasn't sure if this will be feasible with a mallet.

I think I'm gonna get the Tange Levin (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C17IW0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2TE9IQP68MWQU). Seems pretty similar to the Velo Orange and it'll save me a few bucks. Also, it's recommended on Sheldon's site so that can't be a bad thing.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/699879-Homemade-headset-press


http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/740140-Headset-removal-installation-no-special-tools-required.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/699879-Homemade-headset-press


http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/740140-Headset-removal-installation-no-special-tools-required.

Thanks!