Thanks for the info. They did protect the drop outs and there is no powdercoat that need to be taken off. My lbs guys measured and just seemed stumped. I guess he never heard of a JIS headset, and I did not think of it. It is an older specialized from around 1992 so, not low level but also not the highest. Can any JIS race work with any headset or am I doomed to a lower quality headset to solve this fit issue?

I guess I am going to just play with my dremel and removing some metal from the inside diameter of the race. I definatly am not taking the dremel to the fork. At worst, I ruin a race and since I have not as not yet been charged for the headset, I risk no money.

Mud