fake headsets
 

I run into a challenge once in a while trying to display or store my frames with the fork. I had thought about making a couple of fake headsets that loosely fit 1" head tubes and forks. Just something to take up the space and look something like a headset with no threads. Perhaps a plastic wing nut to retain the fork.

This sounds like something that should already exist or did at some point. Any ideas?

In all my years I've never seen anything like that but think its a great idea.

I know Dave Kirk uses something to protect the finish of the frame/fork when photographing his finished frames w/o a headset installed. Looks like black plastic something or another. May drop him a line and see what he uses to see if it will fit your needs (his bikes use a 1" steerer, threadless though), or at least a point in the right direction.

Can you lathe something like a skateboard wheel (or piece of derlin)? Comes in black and white.

VAR used to do a large wing nut for safe display of F&F display , doubt you will find them these days, try your local plumbing supply store, the will have soft nylon nuts in various sizes , you may not get the correct thread but they are so soft its very easy to to use an old steerer as a tap to re-size the threads in the nut , lots of pipe reducers etc too that can be used at the crown race to stop any damage ,
http://www.bluemay.co.uk/plastic_fas...ed_bushes.html , scroll down for 25.4 ID 30mm OD top hats to act as a fake h/set
best regs,

I have seen some machined "spacers" for centering a headset, the upper had a set screw to keep things together.

At a shop I used to work at long long ago we used collars cut from Grab-On foam handlebar grips, the thicker ones that a serious rider would never be caught using save one with hand nerve damage... anyway, cut to about 1.50" lengths they force slide on the steerer, soft, no paint issues, and the upper collar held in place quite well due to the threaded steerers of the day and the slight force fit. I thought it was pretty clever at the time.

I happened across a gasket in the plumbing department at Ace Hardware recently (didn't buy it) that I've seen used before. Can't recall its name; will have to go back and check.

My '82 Superior had one on it when I bought it:

http://www.kurtkaminer.com/superior21057_3.jpg

-Kurt

Yeah, mostly I see something similar to what Kurt has pictured. I wish I had a half dozen or so. Maybe I need to go troll the plumbing aisle at Lowe's before work tomorrow.

I have a set of plastic parts like that which came with a frame.

Actually, I just double-checked and the parts are rubber.

I would fabricate a plastic or rubber disk to fit where the crown race would seat, much like in the photo above, then just wrap a zip-tie tightly around the steerer tube where it exits the top of the head tube. The zip tie holds the fork from falling out, and the disk prevents paint damage at the fork crown.

Some one used to make something like this. You should check with whoever you get your tubing and other parts from.

To me any work to fabricate something for this purpose is too much when spent innertubes and zip ties are so plentiful in my house.

If I was selling frames for four figures and upwards I'd figure out how to lathe a non cupped top and bottom cup out of Derlin and would chase a chrome locknut until it was wide open so I could hand tighten it down and put the frame on display.

I'll bet Frank has something like this in mind. Something elegant, but simple to make. Wonder how much a 2 inch rod of Nylon or Delrin would cost, Frank?

Would probably have to do it out of a sheet, rods that size can be tough to get a hold of.

I checked a couple of places and didn't find anything.


I sent an 8' bar of 2" diameter white delrin up to the machine shop. I designed a part shaped a bit like a lower head stack with an o-ring inside to provide some resistance on a 1" bar and clearance for the race land.

I guess I will get about 90 pieces. Two will be required for each frame. so enough for 45 frames.


I can make more if you guys need some :roflmao2:

Hey frank, can I come up to VT, stay out of the way and just sweep the floor or something? I'd love to just follow you around for a day or two. I'm sure you could find a way to find me useful. I've got family up there and I'll be passing through this summer.

Perhaps later in the summer. Things are crazy right now. shoot me an email.

I bought at least 2 frames that used that same plumbing part, but never bothered to track it down.
It must be something pretty common to show up this often, IIRC it's a tight enough fit for the top unit to hold the fork in place for "normal" handling.

I'll pick one up at ACE Hardware or Shell Lumber the next time I'm at either establishment.

-Kurt