Proper tool for 3-notch headset ring?

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06-22-18 | 10:35 AM

#26

Salamandrine

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Kind of an aside, but as far as I could work out, the main point of these double locknut headsets was to allow regular people to take off the CPSC required front reflector. Nobody wanted those things. If they took them off and they didn't know how to adjust a headset, the bike could get screwed up. With the extra notched locknut, the headset stayed adjusted.

06-22-18 | 10:55 AM

#27

noglider

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Salamandrine

I had always wondered about that. I like this explanation.

[MENTION=27118]Grand Bois[/MENTION], I don't think you've ever hidden your OCD.

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06-22-18 | 12:01 PM

#28

jethin

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I suppose this is true, but perhaps a more useful application is with a cable hanger. Which leads me to my question: how tight should these be installed? My guess is tight enough to keep the adjustable cup in place, but no tighter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salamandrine

06-22-18 | 01:45 PM

#29

T-Mar

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Salamandrine

The design predates the CPSC, going back to at least the mid-1960s. However, it would provide a similar benefit in cases where people might be switching between side-pull and centre-pull brakes and installing or removing a headset mounted cable hanger.

06-22-18 | 07:18 PM

#30

Salamandrine

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Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Mar

Thanks. OK, the extra lock nut was originally for the cable hanger then. That feature certainly did come in handy a few years later when CPSC reflectors became the norm. Removing reflectors was more common than swapping brakes.

07-12-18 | 07:11 PM

#31

nlerner

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So an update on the quest for the proper tool for this headset ring. I ordered three different ones: the first was a Pedro's Trixie multitool:

Untitled

It's close, but the curve isn't quite right and the tool itself is a bit too thick for the relatively thin 3-notch ring.

Next was a hooked-ring spanner that's designed for motorcycle applications. This wasn't going to work as it's much too thick and not the right profile:

Untitled

Today my Hozan C-205 lockring wrench arrived, and as several indicated in this thread, the fit seems right on:

Untitled

Untitled

I'm a bit surprised that none of you old wrenches mentioned the previous version of this wrench, which a friend of mine had in his tool box:

Untitled

Hmm.

07-12-18 | 08:20 PM

#32

Charles Wahl

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From: NYC

Is that a photographic spoof? If not, right up there with Raundonner. Crassic!
Hozan is what I found in the bottom of my toolbox (and used) over the weekend.

07-12-18 | 08:25 PM

#33

nlerner

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Wahl

Is that a photographic spoof? If not, right up there with Raundonner. Crassic!
Hozan is what I found in the bottom of my toolbox (and used) over the weekend.

No photo manipulation! That’s the real item.

07-12-18 | 09:15 PM

#34

Charles Wahl

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From: NYC

I'll have to check mine in the AM.

07-13-18 | 04:54 AM

#35

Prowler

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Quote:

Originally Posted by nlerner

So an update on the quest for the proper tool for this headset ring. I ordered three different ones:

Today my Hozan C-205 lockring wrench arrived, and as several indicated in this thread, the fit seems right on:

Hmm.

I have found that these hook wrenches may need to apply a lot of force on those notches so fit is crucial. I see that on the Hozan you got, the tooth on the hook is not square to the edge of the notch. This may/probably will slip out and bugger the ring, even the tool. However, the wrench really only needs two contact points: the hook/notch point and one other for leverage. I've made a spacer when needed that goes between the wrench and the ring (say down at the 8:00 position on your photo). Size the spacer (a bit of hard wood, a nut, a bolt) to angle the wrench out so the hook enters the notch square to the edge of the notch. I held my hardwood spacer to the wrench with masking tape. Worked nicely.

This strategy also means that hook wrench can be used on other sized lock rings - appropriate spacer for each.

07-13-18 | 07:06 AM

#36

WGB

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Lazyass

I have had two bikes now with these 3 notch headset rings and the first one I really scuffed with a wrench and don't want to repeat the same mistake. You posted "An AR15 spanner works. I know from experience. You can get them cheap"

When I was in the Canadian military I carried an FN 7.62 rifle and the C-8 5.56 rifles came in just as I left so I never completed the conversion and can't even recall ever seeing the wrench.

Can you advise if this link is for the wrench you are talking about?? The one on the ad looks like it has the right type of notches that would fit, just wanted to be sure

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...prod16882.aspx

07-13-18 | 03:23 PM

#37

ryansu

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I had the same issue on an 87 Nishiki Cresta GT, should have bought the Hozan tool above did not, bought and tried 3 different tools that all failed.