Classic & Vintage - Trek 610 - Replace the headset

I have a 1984 Trek 610 that I've had since new. Other than the wheels and the saddle, it's all original and in very good shape. While the headset feels fine, it's one of those Stronglight ones that has some plastic in it. I'm wondering if I should replace it as a matter of age, as it's approaching its 28th birthday. I should add that I'm neither particularly strong or heavy and don't wear bikes out very quickly.

If it's not indexing it's fine.

+1 when was it last overhauled? I would have it overhauled and inspect the parts. odds are pretty good you'll get a few more good years from it

+1 when was it last overhauled? I would have it overhauled and inspect the parts. odds are pretty good you'll get a few more good years from it

It's never been overhauled, as it's never given me a problem.

Just give it a good cleaning and grease those bearing, and your good.

Agree with the other posters. Just overhaul it. If it is a needlebearing headset, some find those valuable.

You must have the "B. Hinault" version of the Stronglight A9 headset with Delrin cups....which I think might be even lighter than the all aluminum version. As long as the plastic seems to be holding up, it's really the steel bearing race inserts and roller bearings that you need to check for any wear as the cups are not subjected to any. Parts are still availabe to service these and usually cost just a little over 5 bucks.

Chombi

I did an experiment with one of those Stronglight headsets. I installed it on my commuter bike and rode it for 20 years with no maintenance whatsoever. Then I opened it up to look at the races:

http://www.os2.dhs.org/~john/A9.jpg

There's just a tiny amount of fretting damage on the lower race, but that's it. I swapped upper and lower races, repacked, and figure I'm good for another 20 years!

OK then, a good greasing it gets, and back together it goes.

I would love to see the 610 how about some pictures

Here she is:
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i405/MPericles/Trek610.jpg

I replaced the wheels about five years after I bought her, those are a SunTour/Mavic set. Also, that's a Terry Fly saddle instead of the original Avocet Criterium, and since she's my main squeeze, I put a set of Crank Bros. pedals on. I have the original Shimano 600 pedals and the slightly scuffed original saddle. Some day I will probably buy a newer roadie with more gears to tackle some of the steeper hills around here, then I'll put the original pedals back on and ride the 610 on shorter rides. The original saddle is just too stiff to ride on any more, it seems to have hardened in the last 28 years.

OK then, a good greasing it gets, and back together it goes.

Don't wash the black plastic parts. I washed mine and they turned permanently grey. Just give them a good wiping with a clean cloth or better, paper towels that are free of grit. But the metal parts all need full degreasing and washing in solvent, with clean, fresh, gooey grease. Another 20 years. It's a great part, and you won't get that kind of durability from any ball-bearing headset. Plus, if you get rid of it you will nearly never see an unused one you can buy. A9's are getting rather hard to get new, and I haven't seen a complete Hinault headset for a long time.

Agree with the other posters. Just overhaul it. If it is a needlebearing headset, some find those valuable.

It's DEFINITELY needlebearing.