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Fitting a 1 1/4" lower headset race - advice please

rjsmithrjsmith Posts: 1,924
edited November 2009 in Workshop
My new frame has an oversize 1 1/4inch bottom race. My usual crown race tool only has 1" and 1 1 /8" setting diameters.
Is it a really bad idea to split the FSA crown race (i.e.cut through with a hacksaw), like you find some of the split crown races anyway, to make fitting it an easy job?
Or should I definately buy a new tool that accomodates 1 1/4" inch crown races?

Posts

  • nicklousenicklouse Posts: 50,675 Lives Here
    1 1/4? are you sure

    if it is a cartridge type bearing then it would work but i dont like it as gets spread and can not seat correctly in the bearing race.

    get down to the plumbers and get some hard plastic pipe or make up a aluminium ring to sit on it.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Monty DogMonty Dog Posts: 20,614
    1.25" lower races are increasingly common, but as it's a once only job, I'd get my LBS to fit it
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Sirius631Sirius631 Posts: 991
    I don't think the shells of headsets are particularly fragile. I have never used a head setting tool. just an old BB spanner and a hammer. Position the race over the headtube hole, put the BB spanner over the race so that it doesn't touch the bearing face itself, and tap the spanner in a circular pattern until the race is driven home evenly. I've not yet had an issue with stiff/uneven headsets, and that's with 25 years of trying.
    To err is human, but to make a real balls up takes a super computer.
  • Monty DogMonty Dog Posts: 20,614
    He's fitting a crown race and given it's probably a carbon fork, not the kind of component you want to start bodging with a hammer. Maybe 15 years ago when we generally only had steel frames and forks it was a different proposition
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • rjsmithrjsmith Posts: 1,924
    It's a Kuota so yes, a 1 1/4" headset. Bit annoyed the bike shop I bought it from didn't fit the crown race (bought over internet) but guess they didn't have the tool either.
    I haven't even seen a tool for 1 1/4" though so maybe I shouldn't be suprised. Full carbon, so yes, don't want to bodge it really.
    Thanks for the ideas so far.
  • Sirius631Sirius631 Posts: 991
    Monty Dog wrote:
    He's fitting a crown race and given it's probably a carbon fork, not the kind of component you want to start bodging with a hammer. Maybe 15 years ago when we generally only had steel frames and forks it was a different proposition

    Sorry - crown race. I should read more before blundering in. Never tried the hammer with a carbon fork, so ignor what I said. :oops: Sure a shop will fit it for a fee, save the OP lashing out on a tool that they are most probably going to use once in a blue moon.
    To err is human, but to make a real balls up takes a super computer.
  • rjsmithrjsmith Posts: 1,924
    :D

    If there was a tool though that did 1.5 and 1.25 headset crown races then i'd get it since I use my 1.125/1 inch setter fairly often (I have a few bikes and have done some other peoples when they have wanted it done).
  • nicksunnicksun Posts: 290
    Hi rjsmith,

    I've just completed the same job on my forks. I gave the the fork a bit of a light sanding to ensure it was smooth, then placed the crown race in a cup of boiling water for a minute or so. I put the crown race on as far as i could with my hands, put a paint roller tube over the top and tapped around the top edge with a hammer and it seated with no problem.

    Hope this helps.

    Nicksun.
  • LardLoverLardLover Posts: 676
    +1 for the crown race in hot water then tap gently into place with a length of plastic pipe (just wider than the steerer).

    :D
  • rjsmithrjsmith Posts: 1,924
    Thanks Nicksun, might well give it a go as I like to DIY if I can.
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