Corvette headset
 

I'm restoring a white 1959 Schwinn Corvette and need to know what the headset looks like. Thanks!

Not to be a smart aleck, but you can't take it apart and see what it looks like?

I had a '59 Corvette, but was 9 when I got it (in '59) and had no idea it had a headset.

Right hand threads, balls held in sheet metal ring. Pretty common. Andy.

Schwinn headsets were fairly generic for years and years. I'm not sure a Corvette would have anything different than their standard-issue headset.

https://www.picclickimg.com/d/w1600/...-Condition.jpg

The corvette used the Schwinn deluxe headset like this:

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTI0MlgxNj...tZlH0B/$_1.JPG

I seem to recall that some Schwinn bikes used slightly oversize cups with 32.7mm diameter press-fit flanges rather than ISO 30.2mm or JIS 30.0mm. These are still found on some BMX bikes.

The vast majority of Schwinn bikes made until the '80's used headsets with 32.7mm diameter cups. My old Schwinn Superior was one. When I installed a King headset way back when I bought a "BMX" size headset.

My current Schwinn Superior project bike had the deluxe style headset, but it was so rusty that I thought I should abandon it. Fortunately I found a NOS Deluxe headset at a local shop.

Here's what it looked like as received:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7135/1...46dcfcc5_b.jpg

Headset
 

The frame is missing the headset- so I can't just take it apart.

Which makes measuring that much easier and quicker. One correct measurement is worth many replies to a forum post. Andy

Which makes Metacortex's comment above the most helpful. Schwinn headsets were one-size-fits-almost-all for any many years. Either a standard or deluxe headset should pop right in.

To make it easy this is the correct pre-'66 Schwinn Deluxe headset the OP is looking for: Schwinn Headset (complete), Early-1960's (Beautiful Condition!)

A 1966 or later Deluxe headset will also work, however the locknut hole may need to be sanded or filed to accommodate the thicker 1965 and earlier stem that would have been original to the OPs '59 Corvette.