Headset woes
 

Hey guys,

I have a early 70s Bianchi lugged chromoly frame with an ovalized headtube that has been tormenting me.

I've tried shimming it multiple times but the bottom cup just keeps wiggling inside the headtube even if the headset is tightened to the point where the steering is hardly practical. Is it too ovalized? I thought about maybe getting a 1" threadless headset with really deep lips and picking up a new fork to go along with it might do the trick. Waste of money?

What are your guys' thoughts and/or suggestions?

If the headtube is ovalized, nothing will make any headset remain tight. You can do one of the following as I see it:

1 Have the headtube replaced

2. Have a frame maker add brazing material to the headtube ends and ream it round

3. Replace the frame.

1 and 2 will require a repaint and be reasonably expensive. Is the frame worth that much to you?

No, its not worth much to me. I'd just like to get it working since I have it sitting here ya know.

YOu could also try having the headset cup knurled

The headtube is ovalized, not just slightly oversized. Nothing but correcting that will work except possibly using Loctite bearing and collar retaining compound to permanantly glue the cups in place. (that's option #4)

I second the use of Loctite 609 retaining compound.

Depending on how ovalized is, the paint solution could work.

This is what I would do ok? Since the headset works by compression this could work just fine.

Use jbweld and add some material were is needed, sand the tube 1st to bare metal to get good adhesion. SO add the putty, sand it really well... then get some car paint, any color will do or maybe hmm... tamiya spray paint. put a few coats of that paint inside of the headtube obviously. Let it sit for 2 days, meanwhile measure it ok? If you are kind'a ok in the size just go to the lbs and ask them to ream it to specs.

The putty will be in place maybe forever and since it will work compressed it wont crack or anything.

My 2 cents.