Mike, there are two common crown race diameters for 1" threaded headsets. 26.4 mm is the most common today, but many old Elglish bikes, among others, used 27.0 mm crown races. This was also the old Japan JIS standard. Tange makes several models of good quality headsets, both steel and alloy, and all or most models are available in both 26.4 amd 27.0. And some models are incredibly cheap for the quality they provide. I've bought the Tange Passage HS for as little as $11. Most Tange crown races will match up perfectly with Campy NR/SR and clone fixed cups and use the same size bearings. I've personally used Tange 27.0 crown races with otherwise comple Campy C-Record and Chorus HS's. Tange HS's are available from Bike Tools Etc. and Harris Cyclery (Sheldon Brown) among others.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, TX
Michael Davies <msdavi59@yahoo.com> wrote: Is there something fundamentally different in size between a 1" headset on older English bikes and the 1" headsets currently available? I recently retrieved several of my old bike frames (from childhood) from my parents basement as I wanted to ride fixed gear and this seemed the most economical way to go about it. Among these frames are a Viking (1950's vintage, I think) and a Claud Butler (early 1940's I think). Unfortunately, both these frames were missing their headsets, and when I attempted to use a 1" headset I had on hand (from a totalled 1989 Trek 1500) I discovered the bottom race would not fit the fork on either bike...the diameter of the raised section at the bottom of the fork is slightly bigger than the internal diameter of the race, meaning the race would have to stretch quite a bit to get it on there. I've solved the problem temporarily by installing the Trek fork and headset in the Viking....I now have a rather Frankensteinish looking bike with a hideous looking frame and creaking 60 year old 27" rear wheel with BH airlite flip-flop hub, attached to a spiffy looking front fork and 700c front wheel. It rides nicely though. Am I overlooking something in getting the current headset to fit the old forks and if not, does anyone have the correct headset for sale? I'd really like to get the Claud Butler back on the road as it has great sentimental value to me.
Thanks Mike Davies St Louis
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