I have an old Italian bike with an Italian threaded steerer tube on the fork. I've heard that an English threaded headset will work, as there is only a tiny difference in thread pitch.Italian headsets seem to be an extinct species, but I'd rather find one than screw up the threads on the fork with an improper headset. Has anyone actually tried this conversion before? I know there'll be those who consider my question to be blasphemous, but I'm just weighing my options. Oh yeah, I'll be using a Campy headset if I can go English, is that better?

I can say just when, where or on what but I am certain I have done this on more than one occasion. IIRC the upper cup and lock nut just thread on a bit tight but there is no lasting affects.

Never done it, but if it's that close, it probably wouldn't hurt to run a die over the fork threads first.

The thread pitch is the same, it's the profile of the thread that's a little different. One's 55*, the other is cut at 60*. I can be quite sure I've installed an English headset where an Italian would have been "correct", and not noticed.

+1 The only caveat is to not switch back and forth between Italian and ISO, but I suspect that will not be a problem.

This is exactly right. English and Italian headsets (and freewheels for that matter) have the same thread diameter and pitch but English threads have a 60° apex angle while Italian threads are 55°. For all practical purposes, making the switch is completely without drama but, as onespeedbikes noted, don't go back and forth.

In illustration:


Credit: Southerland's 4th edition

This is a good thread. I have been the owner of a 1981 Ciocc Mockba since it was new. In the late 1980s the original Campy super record headset needed to be replaced. I installed a Tange Levin headset, and have used those since that time. Yes, I know purists would toss me off the roof of their Tuscan Villa for defacing my Italian classic with a cheap Tange headset, but they are shiny chrome with no logo, cost less than $30, last for years, and with new ball bearings and a clean gob of grease they last for a couple more years. Maybe the tight fit on the threads is why I have never had to re-torque the headset lock nut.

To the OP... and english or ISO headset will work just fine as long as you are not installing new headsets in the bike each 2 weeks as many bikes i have seen with the steering tubes threads gone.

To be seeking the best solution, have the Fork threads chased,
with the cutting Die of the current thread standard ..

I know a local road rider who has been riding for 50 years and has a lot of old Campy bike parts. He has the headset and bb for my frame/fork.Thanks for all the replies, the illustration was really great.1 pic=1,000 words

Campag made different stuff for export to The states,
so not all Italian stuff follows an italian only standard.

+1 with fietsbob, even shimano did some italian headsets.