Hi!
so here is your traditional threaded headset:


the locknut and threaded top race have flats for using a wrench to tighten/loosen.

HOWEVER, over hauling a friend's trashed old road bike (which i believe is japanese. no clue as to make), the locknut and threaded top race DO NOT have the hexagonal flats im used to seeing, BUT they are perfectly round with the exception of 3 notches with which im assuming you need a special 3 pronged tool.

any info on this type of threaded headset?
how to remove/loosen/and/or tighten?
do i need a special tool? or?

thanks!

I think your friend is missing a locknut, that thing with the 3 notches is a spacer. I actually have one right now, you can use your lockring tool to unscrew that spacer or you could use a hammer and a flathead.

i dont think it is, the threaded crown race has the same exact thing going on. i tried the lockring tool but its too big.

There's always the hammer + flathead as your last resort...

Pretty sure you are missing the top nut- my old Raleigh Rampar has the notched nuts(they're not spacers) and still has the top nut.

no, im pretty sure the top nut is notched.
there is the 3 notch top nut, 2 spacers, and 3 notch threaded top race.

the top nut on this headset has the same curved top like in the above pic, but instead of flats its the 3 notches.

however i could be wrong....

oh btw thanks for the input guys,
dont mean to come off as "hey whats your opinion on this?" ...*answer* "NO UR WRONG" lol

i guess if more people chime in and concur, then ill defintely believe it...

BUT vixtor says the 3 notch things are spacers, but there are two spacers in between the two 3 notch pieces, and they dont have notches....
and i think the thing on top is a top lock nut, because it has the same rounded top, but instead of hexagonal flats it has 3 notches.


anyway i was going to take everything off, clean and grease, then reinstall.....but the headset seems to rotate smoothly already, it just seems loose. so i might just hammer it tighter with a flat head screwdriver.

I actually am not certain if it is a spacer, I've seen one of the 3 notched rings in between locknut and top race before at the co-op. I have one right now that I didn't use, so I don't know.

I'd try posting in C&V. Those guys have seen all kinds of old wierd stuff. If you don't care about the finish on the headset parts, you could try using a channelock wrench and / or Visegrips.

i care about the finish and i still used a visegrip. my wrenches were just a mil too small.

visegrips = gods gift to man

I've seen funky old headsets that look exactly as you're describing. We've got what looks like a BB lockring wrench at the shop that fits them. Your LBS may have one as well.

i need a 32mm hs wrench but i am not about to pay for one. i really need a house so i can buy a whole tool set.

+1

Funny...I tried to use my bb lockring wrench to unscrew it but it was too large and the prongs could not catch onto the notches. I used the Hozan lockring wrench to loosen it.

I'd really like to see a picture of this headset...