Wishing I never took on this project now but I'm trying to restore a bicycle for my girlfriend (it's her mum's town bike from the 60s). I thought I was getting somewhere. All that's left to get is the wheels.
Not knowing anything about threaded steerers and headsets I've only now come to realise there's a problem. The headset cups can just about be pushed into the frame by hand which doesn't strike me as being a good thing.
Next up, the step -or what ever you want to call it- that the bearing race fits over is very worn down. One side is almost flush to the main tube.
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Also the threads have been knackered up, I guess due to the loose headset/ovalisation
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What are my options for getting over these hurdles? Do you know anyone that can do repairs?
Araldite/loctite, or a new headset may fit up OK. Threads prob OK.
Locktite do a bearing fit for this very purpose
Well I've just read loctite 660 is the stuff to use for the headtube.
The threads are definitely not ok. They've been pressed/worn flat where you can see the light reflecting and the threaded parts of the headset won't get past the first few threads on the steerer, already kicking up plenty of swarf. I don't want to kill the new headset threads too.
So the fork is the main problem. I guess I need a frame repair shop to fit a new race mount and cut some new threads. Can anyone recommend anywhere?
Have you tried fitting the bottom race? You might find it fits OK
An old school bike shop should have the tool to recut the threads
OP some old headset washers are keyed (as is that steerer) and some have a flat cut in them - looks like the latter has been used and the threads filed/worn to fit.
Not sure how re-cutting the threads would help - they need material added if anything, bet they'll be fine though
Old forks in good nick are cheaper to buy than to repair a damaged one.
Is it a welded or brazed frame? If it's brazed (like wot mine is) a framebuilder should be able to replace the headtube (like wot mine did!) I'd take it to a decent framebuilder anyway & ask, he still might be able to replace the HT.
If your struggling for forks there's a shop near me with a box of old roadie forks for a tener each, if they're beyond repair let me know what your after and I'll see whats there.