DIY headset installation

[RobWJL]

I've acquired a nice record headset and am pondering its instalation. I am very keen to build the whole bike myself but is it ill advised to attempt this?

I have read a couple of horror stories on various forums.

Using a long bolt and large washers to install the upper and lower head races sounds logical and low risk...

Famous last words.

 

[RobWJL]

It's a threaded headset btw going on a steel frame

 

[Johnsqual]

I've done the homemade headset press trick several times now and not had too many problems.

You just have to be a bit patient and make sure the races and cones go in straight. Be ready to start again if they start to go off centre when pressing them in. Having a decent workstand helps enormously as well.

I've also used a professional headset press, which is definitely easier - it's less difficult to keep the cups centred.

It's really a decision between the satisfaction of a full DIY job and the security of using proper materials. Up to you, really...

 

[RobWJL]

Thanks. Is the homemade press broadly as I describe?

 

[Johnsqual]

Mine looks more or less like this:

http://biketester.com/homemade-headset-press/

Length of threaded bar with a few large washers, some smaller washers and some bolts.
You'll probably need at least two-three large washers for each end of the press, a single washer is too thin and will bend under pressure.

Good luck,

Johnny

 

[torqueless]

They come in many forms. This looks flimsy compared to some with larger diameter 'bolt', but last time I used it I didn't even need a spanner on the nut- Just turning the wingnut was enough to persuade the top-race and bottom-cup home. (One at a time, not both at once). The holes in the blocks of hardwood are a loose fit on the thread. Small washer between the wood block and the nut at each end.

There's not much that can go wrong, once you understand that a cylinder of metal which is pressed into another cylinder of metal at an angle is an 'ovaliser', and to be avoided. You really shouldn't encounter that much resistance- if it's going in straight- not with a used headset on an old frame. Maybe there is more resistance with an unused headset on a new frame which has never had a headset installed before- I wouldn't know.

 

[DougieF]

I have been changing headsets for 20 years with the same home-made tool comprising a screwed rod and two large washers. Never had any problems, you just need to be careful and I recommend installing one cup at a time.

 

[Midlife]

Headset press or a plank of wood / hammer ............either way it's a home job that doesn't really need an LBS. The crown race is trickier

Shaun

 

[Robbied196]

If you want to make it even easier get your frame out in the sun and your cups in the freezer

 

[mrcpea]

I've installed quite a few now with a home made press as described above.
I always knock the fork race home with a hammer & piece of plastic pipe that just fits over the steerer tube.
The only other thing to think about is the size of headset.
JIS headsets have a 30.0mm frame cup & a 27.0mm crown race.
ISO (the most common) have a 30.2 frame cup & a 26.4 crown race.

torqueless & Shaun have given me excellent advice about this on another post