Pressing a Fork Crown Race onto a Fork - How?

Gav2000
Gav2000 Posts: 408
edited May 2011 in Workshop
I'm byuilding a new bike (the second I've built) and have been defeated by the first task; installing the headset cups and fork crown race.

I've managed to install the headset cups but want to make a simple tool of a long threaded bar with pieces of wood on the ends and eashers/nuts for tightening to make sure they are fully seated. I can do this at the weekend when I get to B&Q.

The fork crown is another matter, it's an interference fit but I don't known what to put over the fork to push/hammer it squarely home. Can anyone suggest anything? I think I need some sort of pipe about 1.5" in diameter that is longer than the fork steerer, nothing immediately springs to mind to do this. Help me please!

Gav.
Gav2000

Like a streak of lightnin' flashin' cross the sky,
Like the swiftest arrow whizzin' from a bow,
Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly.
You'll hear about him ever'where you go.

Comments

  • Not being facetious, but what you are after is a crown race setting tool, which is what I use. They ain't cheap though. Look it up on Google.

    Someone else on here might have a cunning Heath Robinson idea using scaffold tube and string, but personally I wouldn't :wink:
    It doesn't get any easier, but I don't appear to be getting any faster.
  • callow82
    callow82 Posts: 31
    I've used a section of 1.5 inch PVC waste pipe from B&Q. Turn forks upside down with pipe over steerer then hit the end of the pipe on the floor until the crown race is set. Worked for me and cheaper than a crown race setting tool.
  • Gav2000
    Gav2000 Posts: 408
    callow82 wrote:
    I've used a section of 1.5 inch PVC waste pipe from B&Q. Turn forks upside down with pipe over steerer then hit the end of the pipe on the floor until the crown race is set. Worked for me and cheaper than a crown race setting tool.

    Good idea, I like the cheaper part. I'll add this to my B&Q shopping list.

    Thanks.
    Gav2000

    Like a streak of lightnin' flashin' cross the sky,
    Like the swiftest arrow whizzin' from a bow,
    Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly.
    You'll hear about him ever'where you go.
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    I used the hoover pipe for 1 1/8" but from the sounds of things you're on 1 1/2"...

    Take the crown race to b&Q with you, or pop into your lbs and ask them to do it for you.
  • Gav2000
    Gav2000 Posts: 408
    I used the hoover pipe for 1 1/8" but from the sounds of things you're on 1 1/2"...

    Take the crown race to b&Q with you, or pop into your lbs and ask them to do it for you.

    It's a 1 1/8" headset so I assume I need a pipe slightly larger than that, I might take the forks with me!

    Gav.
    Gav2000

    Like a streak of lightnin' flashin' cross the sky,
    Like the swiftest arrow whizzin' from a bow,
    Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly.
    You'll hear about him ever'where you go.
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,541
    as above

    also, popping the race into a *hot* oven for a while it will expand it a bit, makes it easier to get on (don't try it without heatproof gloves), pour some water on as soon as it's in place
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    this may be stating the obvious but the proper tool is virtually perfect at this job, and I'm more than happy I now have one.

    It wasn't a huge amount of money IIRC
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    Remember to hold the forks off the ground when you tap the pipe or forks might break.
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo
  • bill57
    bill57 Posts: 454
    sungod wrote:
    as above

    also, popping the race into a *hot* oven for a while it will expand it a bit, makes it easier to get on (don't try it without heatproof gloves), pour some water on as soon as it's in place
    Cane Creek races have a rubber seal which would be destroyed, not sure about that amount of heat on carbon forks either. There's no need for it, the normal pipe methods work fine.
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    Remember to hold the forks off the ground when you tap the pipe or forks might break.

    Do the whole operation the other way up, put the forks into the pipe with the crown race in place and then holding the forks slam the pipe down into the ground to seat the crown race.
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,541
    bill57 wrote:
    sungod wrote:
    as above

    also, popping the race into a *hot* oven for a while it will expand it a bit, makes it easier to get on (don't try it without heatproof gloves), pour some water on as soon as it's in place
    Cane Creek races have a rubber seal which would be destroyed, not sure about that amount of heat on carbon forks either. There's no need for it, the normal pipe methods work fine.

    fair point, mine were just metal so no issue, solved my problem as i was lacking a bit of pipe at the time
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • c0ugars
    c0ugars Posts: 202
    Or you could alway buy one of these

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... roducts-UK
  • 2alexcoo
    2alexcoo Posts: 251
    Gav2000 wrote:
    I used the hoover pipe for 1 1/8" but from the sounds of things you're on 1 1/2"...

    Take the crown race to b&Q with you, or pop into your lbs and ask them to do it for you.

    It's a 1 1/8" headset so I assume I need a pipe slightly larger than that, I might take the forks with me!

    Gav.

    Standard 32mm plastic waste pipe is the one you want
    Alex