Headset stuck
 

I picked up a craptastic old 72ish Raleigh Record frame, fork, headset, and cranks (cottered of course). The headset is pretty seized up and I have spent the last two evenings reefing on the lock nut to try to get this apart to overhaul this but have had no luck (I admit, I'm not the strongest and have been going at this with a pair of channel locks) Any ideas how I can get this off? Doesn't seem rusted, just on really tight.

Also, I know there are some pretty bad compatibility issues with the bottom brackets and the 26tpi threading. So, I think I'm just going to try to take it apart and clean it up myself. Seems to be more or less in good working order, just some surface rust as far as I can tell. Cottered or not, I'm not scared. Aside from buying some new cotter pins for that any major pitfalls forseen? I've never dealt with cottered before, but I figure if I screw it up it will give me an excuse to get a better frame.

I really don't want to put much cash into this, just play with it and see what I can do. I've got everything else I need to build it up to a beater fixie for the girlfriend. Thoughts?

You need two wrenches, one, usually a thin cone-type wrench to hold the top (adjustable) race's flats and one to turn the locknut. If you "scissor" the wrenches together you can get a lot of force on them without danger of slipping.

My thoughts are that you should try to find the proper tools for the job. Some possibilities are a local bike coop, a bike shop that shares tools, friendly bike nuts in your local community (try a CL ad). You could use a pipe wrench or large adjustable wrench to get the headset apart but you will probably need 2 wrenches - including the thin headset wrench - to get it back together and adjusted correctly. Ditto for the bottom bracket. You could probably get it apart with a hammer and punch but putting it back together correctly will require specialized tools.

So I'd either just ride it as is or find somebody with the right tools to lend a hand. Also, check out the Park Tools or Sheldon Brown's websites for lots of information on how to do this stuff. Good luck, sounds like a nice project.

the answer for me is usually a 12" crescent wrench

Since no-one has said it, I will suggest the obvious - apply plenty of liquid wrench and wait a day, then...

Get the correct sized wrench. If you can't get it to budge, put a long pipe over the wrench handle and use if for leverage.

Something will give and with luck, that "something" will be the nut. (remember - lefty loosy)

Two ways to get leverage: put a second wrench on the threaded race (under the locknut) or put a wheel on the forks and use your body (or something) to stabilize the wheel. This has the advantage of gettingyour leg and back muscles involved.

Don't neglect the liquid wrench. All it can damage is the crud that is holding it stuck.

Take it to your favorite LBS, they will probably do it for you for a couple of dollars or less while you wait. Cheaper than getting the proper tools. I am all for getting the proper tools however, if you plan to do more bike work.

bill

Wonder if the guy put some loctite in that piece because the headset was always getting lose. If that is the case you might need a lot of torque to take that stuff out. Have you tried using a dremel to split the lock ring in two pieces? Lock rings are easy to find. Same situation if you decide to change the whole headset.

A wrench with a cheater bar maybe?

Thanks

Thanks everyone. Got the headset off with the help of a little liquid wrench and the girlfriend who couldn't stand seeing me struggle anymore telling me to go to the LBS to get tools. Sometimes it doesn't hurt to look a little pathetic... Got the cranks and bottom bracket off too, didn't even mushroom the cotter pins. Not bad, the rest should be a snap.