Beach Comber

My old bike boom bike that I bought new nearly 40 years ago has a slightly bent steering steering tube right at the crown of the fork from a disagreement with a curb years ago. Being unknown tubing, and an entry level bike, I didn't feel comfortable just trying to bend it back. And being an old sentimental fool, I want to fix it.

I finally picked up a nice replacement fork for it last week. I thought I could just move the crown race over, but it looks like its also slightly bent.

I can find no brand anywhere on the headset to try and match up a new crown race. I know its a 27mm ID, and of course a 1" steering tube.

Do I need to get a whole new head set to ensure proper fit with the lower headtube race? If not, how can you tell if the bearings are making full contact, vs. just a small percentage of the surface area?

auchencrow

I would, They are cheap enough.

Beach Comber

Thanks for the response. This is an unchartered area (unknown frame of unknown country) - and it seemed prudent to reach out to those with far more experience. I don't mind replacing the entire headset if I absolutely have to.