Re: [CR] Headset for mid '50s Hetchins

Tony Taylor asks "...a 1955 Hetchins with all period appropriate equipment. I need a headset. Does anybody have any guidance on what would be appropriate...."

The 1955 Holdsworth Aids to Happy Cycling catalogue lists these headsets:

Stronglight Competition (V races)

Gnutti Decagon

Gnutti Extra

Alatet (Continental pattern with decagon design)

Brampton

Chater Lea

The 1955ish Ron Kitching Everything Cycling catalogue list some of those and also these:

Stronglight P3

Lightrace

This Ron Kitching catalogue and many others are available as copies throough Chuck Schmidt's Velo Retro website at http://www.velo-retro.com/ Acquiring a selection of catalogues from Chuck for the decades of interest to one's bike collection helps in considering such equipment issues and I find it increases my appreciation of bicycles in context with their era.

Peter Brueggeman
La Jolla California USA
4peebee(at)peterbrueggeman.com