Steven Maasland wrote the message below. My comments follow.
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 03:46:47 -0400 From: "Steven Maasland" <themaaslands@comcast.net> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Subject: [CR]ebay outing: campagnolo headset Message-ID: <EF421D8B11DF430D930382546C874D04@ToshibaLaptop> Content-Type: text/plain;charset="windows-1250" MIME-Version: 1.0 Precedence: list Message: 13
Charles pointed out the following auction:
and commented: In nice shape, yes. But over 200 bucks?
I believe that the successful bidder should take a close look at the fork crown race as it shows distinct signs of brinneling, which in turn generally means the lower cup will also be marked. The $200 plus price isnt what gets me, as much as the fact that people dont check out photos very well.
Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ, USA
Steven,
Your point is well taken, particularly because it is the crown race that seems to be the first piece to brinnel, making it the piece most sought after as a maintenance part, and therefore the piece that is least readily available. This particular example looks like it is just starting to wear, and the headset might go together and adjust to a reasonable standard, but it won't take much use for this thing to become a lot more worn. On the other hand, the seller may be happy with decent function and may plan to use the part on a bike that will see little or no use. What's really sketchy is that the lower race isn't even shown in any of the pics. If that one is shot, the value of this unit is sharply decreased.
BUT..... there is a bigger point that everyone seems to have missed. Look at the headest one more time. If you're a stickler for accurate restorations, this is a VERY SPECIAL Super Record headset indeed, and it is QUITE RARE (details below). This is the earliest SR headset version that I know of, and I can't recall ever seeing one on eBay, at least in this condtion. Say you have a 1974 SR-equipped bike and you need a new headset, and let's assume only the period correct SR headset in very good condtion or better will do. Well, if that's the case, I think two-twenty-four is not a bad deal, even if you add another sixty bucks to fund a replacement crown race (if you assume the lower race is okay). Consider that plain-vanilla SR headsets often sell for $100 or so in nice used condition, and for about $200 NOS.
Where I start to question things like this is when I consider whether all the bidders were even aware of this headset's special features. If all of the bidders think all SR headsets are alike, and they are simply willing to pay $224.50 for a slightly worn generic SR headset, then yes, this auction outcome is strange... and a little unfortunate, I think. I hope the winner is aware that the unit is special and that the part finds a home on that very limited range of bikes for which it is appropriate (i.e. SR equipped bikes from the first few years of SR production, when NR was still the bulk of Campy's production). These headsets are equivalent to the first version SR rear der, the 2-bolt SR post, and the long reach SR brake levers, but I think they were made for an even shorter period. Plus, Campy SR headsets wear pretty quickly under the best circumstances, wear out instantly when incorrectly installed, and are often subject to cosmetic damage by careless mechanics, so this headset is truly scarce in this condition.
Differences between this headset and later versions:
1) The locknut is shaped like a Record steel locknut. Later SR locknuts had their own unique shape, without the round undercut section below the hexagonal portion.
2) The spacer is an alloy version of the typical Record spacer. The elaborate spacer was added a few years after the intro of SR.
3) The little lines between the words stamped atop the locknut are seen on only the earliest SR headsets.
4) The very satiny finish of typical of early production.
My general sense is that the first two features are rare and were only seen in the first few years of production, the third feature is very early and very rare, and the satin finish was typical through the 70's but none-too-readily found at this point. Most clean or NOS SR headsets seen on eBay are late production mid-1980s examples with a much brighter finish.... and THOSE sell for big bucks.
Tom Dalton Bethlehem Pennsylvania USA
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