Hi all,

I am replacing the old, dorky centre-pulls on my old roadbike with new DP side-pulls. One of the things I need to remove is the housing-stop which is sort of integrated as a washer in the threaded headset.

Now do I need to find a replacement washer? Does this act as the locking washer? or can I get by without it.

I realize I could just actually take it apart and see, but I won't have time to work on my bike for a few weeks and I'd like to know ahead of time if I need to get any parts.

You may do, it depends. Some of the cable stops I've seen act as the only keyed washer, some are backed up by a normal keyed washer, and some don't have the key at all. If you've got a headset spanner the right size for your adjustable race and something else to turn the locknut, you don't actually need any keyed washers. I've got one bike that hasn't got a keyway on the fork, and adjusting the headset isn't that much harder.

You may have to replace it with a plain washer of about the same thickness to assure the locknut doesn't thread on too far. Any bike shop should have these.

I agree. The washer is just a buck ot two and it is best to either have it on hand before starting. This isn't also the reflector bracket is it?

If you do not have HS wrenches you may be better off taking the bike to shop and just ask them to take it off.