First Fixie Project. Need Headset and BB Help
 

Ok, I'm trying to tear down/sand and paint an old Miyata Seven Ten frame. The BB was a pain so I had the LBS remove it for me and the guy said the crank was shot and he just removed the whole thing. First question - what size BB does this bike use or how can I find out? I'd like to get a Campy crank and BB to put on it but I'm not sure if it would fit. Secondly, I'd like to take the fork out and I think the only way to do that is to remove the headset. Is this correct? If so, is this something I could remove myself or should I just bring it back to the LBS and let them do it? Thanks guys.

miyata eh?
99.9999999999% sure that it takes a british threaded BB. The length and taper of the spindle depends on the crankset you choose. you can get british threaded Campy cranks

to remove the fork you'll have to take off the two nuts on the top part of the headset - one of which is the locknut, the other is the threaded top race. You'll probably need a 32mm wrench to do that. when you take off the nuts, the fork will drop right out along with the bearings. don't loose them.
The headset cups will still be pressed into the frame.

there are two widths for a bb, one relates to the shell (of the frame), the other is the spindle (of the bb). you'll need a 68mm X ??? (like baxtefer said, depends on the crank)

When I spin the fork around in there it feels a little tight. Does that mean I should get a new headset when I build it back up or is it not just spinning perfectly because it's old?

Thanks for the info on the BB. I've seen the Campy cranks in either Italian or British threads.

the cranks themselves aren't italian or british, it's the accompanying bb that's either italian or british. and that's up to the frame the crank will be hanging on.

the headset is tight because it's either old and crusty, or out of adjustment, or both.

Thanks for the advice. I have a Miyata Six Ten (lower-model touring type bike) that someone gave me as well and the fork on that one seems to turn much smoother. What are the chances I could switch the headset in my fixed project with that one? (I'm only saving the 610 for the parts, so obviously I'm not concerned about having a whole bike there). They're similar vintage so I thought they would use the same or at least same size headset.

It's likely that the headset currently in the Seven Ten is still good, just overtightened and/or in need of grease. Can you get the top two nuts on the headset off?

See this for a decent guide to removing, installing and overhauling a threaded headset:
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=127

Thanks for the website fixedpip. This may sound stupid, but what makes this headset threaded versus non-threaded?

and Don, no I haven't gotten them off yet b/c I haven't tried. I plan to do that today after work.

It seems like you need a lot of tools to work on headsets (according to the Park Tools site) - could I just start with the 32mm wrench to get it off and see where it takes me?