To answer the original question about how hard were the Stronglight V4 Competition headsets to adjust, they were a little easier to work on and adjust than the lower model Stronglight P3 headsets because they have an octagonal top lock nut vs. the P3's spanner pin style lock nut.
P3 (I've recently seen several P3 headsets on eBay with "Competition"
octagon lock nuts)
http://tinyurl.com/
Having worked on many hundreds of French bikes with the toothed lock washers, I ALWAYS found that style difficult to "properly" adjust: tighten, loosen, tighten, loosen then readjust after the first hard ride. :-(
Cup and cone loose ball bearing systems as used on most classic bikes are more tolerant of minor misalignment than most precision bearing setups.
The 4 point ball contact with the V races changes the equation.
Stronglight V4 Competition headsets came on Peugeot PX-10s, Motobecane Grand Records, and pre 1973 Le Champions plus some other better quality French and British models. I recall seeing them of several mid level Italian bikes too.
It wasn't everyday that I got to work on a bike with a V4 headset, they weren't that common for us. We sold Gitanes, Bertins and number of other lesser known French marques. Most of those makers used less expensive Stronglight P3 headsets.
I suspect it was due in part to the legendary French frugalness plus the P3s worked better with less accurate fork and headset facing.
I don't recall ever having to replace a V4 for indentation problems.
About 1974 or 75 we tested the Rockwell hardness on 17 different headsets. The Stronglight V4 and S5 Professional headsets along with Zeus were all ~60Rc while Campy NR headset races ranged from 47Rc and up.
The hammer, screwdriver and 2x4 method was used by most shops during the Bike Boom!
Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA
Daniel Artley wrote:
> My third 'ten speed', a PX-10 was purchased in 1968, my first 'nice' bike following the Supersport, then a UO-8. Very comfortable, nice handling but for the harmonic wobble in the head tube hammering through the reverse camber, last 'S' bend before Loch Raven Dam, one of my almost daily routes north of Baltimore. ... After the accident ... and with the top and down tubes bent just so, the bike handled even better, losing the harmonic. I may still have that set of Pivo bars with the slightly modified track bend to them. ... I digress.
>
> I still think the Stronglight V-4 as we called it at the bike shop was one of the best old style headsets around. It could be adjusted by hand with the toothed lock ring drawn tight at the finish. Never munched the bearing races, something that was a constant problem w/ Campy headsets. Maybe it was the four contact points per ball. No special tools needed to mount and dismount the headset, Big screwdriver and a hammer to get the races out, two by four and hammer to get 'em back in. Harvey mentioned he couldn't remember it's name. I'm pretty sure it's the 'Competition'. I've been saving a new one in the box for the Taylor, just haven't gotten around to it because the not so period correct A-9 headset works to well to pull out.
>
> Happy trails,
>
> Dan Artley in Parkton, Maryland USA
>
Steve Kurt wrote:
>
> hi Harvey,
>
> Congrats on the new toy! I hope it's a ton of fun.
>
> The mention of the Stronglight V-groove headset prompts me to ask a
> question that has been unasked for a few decades... how hard was it to
> adjust one of those??
>
> Were they extremely dependent on a well-faced headtube? Seems like they
> would be.
>
> I think a Stronglight A-9 would be the perfect replacement. Vintage
> styling but with robust bearings. Great stuff. :-)
>
> regards,
> Steve Kurt
> Peoria, IL USA