Headsets can be a nightmare!

Only half a wheel ahead of bottom brackets!



Calipers are needed.

To spend $110 for a 600 headset on eBay, you really have to know EXACTLY what you need.
You get the wrong threading, or too much stack height and it's back to the 'Bay for that item.

And the hunt continues...

Most of my LBS's HATE trying to deal with an '88 headset on a Falcon.
They barely stock parts for ninety eights, much less EIGHTY eights.

In this case, knowledge is POWER!

Know the stack height needed for your frame/fork.
Know the threading.
Know the fork crown race seat diameter.
Know the inside headtube diameters.
Know what I mean?

That way when you go to the LBS and ask for help with an '88 Falcon headset, you'll sound like you know what you're asking.

ON THE OTHER HAND.....

My "newbie" approach to finding a solution to a funky headset????


MONEY!

LBS: "HI, can I help you?"

DrD: "Hi. Yes. I need this only tired headset rebuilt. How much is that please?"

LBS: "That runs $25 labor plus parts.."

DrD: "That'll be fine, but I just want to use the old parts, funky as they may be right now. Can I pay you an extra $5 or something to take the headset measurements for me. I know it's a weird old headset and I may have trouble finding a replacement right away."

LBS: "Excellent. We'll have it ready tomorrow afternoon."

DrD: "Thank you very much. I'll see you tomorrow"


So there, now I'm a full fledged PAYING customer!
I have my old headset regreased, I have the specs needed for eBaying a nice NOS replacement piece,
AND a little repect from the LBS.

Membership has its privileges.

But the point of the dialog to illustrate...

A) I'm here to SPEND MONEY, not time.
B) I know it's an "old" bike (old bike = headache to LBSs)
I just want the HS overhaul and measurements.
This means no digging through boxes or back shelves for something that "might work".
Just regrease whatevers left of what's in there. Good job for the newbie at the shop.
C) MANNERS! Didn't yo Momma teach you no manners?!?

So...QUICK, PAYING & POLITE!

Why would I pay $30 to have a LBS regrease the cubic bearings of the old headset?

Well, I'd be getting the new one, once I had the measurements anyway...
And having the correct specs means that I'll only be biding on QUALIFYING headsets, saving me untold time & headache.

All that, and having the kids at the bike shop actually be GLAD to see me again...soon..and often!


That's all I have here on headsets for this morning. (IOW, How Dr. D spends his Saturday nights)

Good luck with that, 2wheeled! dang! smiley overload : - 0