Headset removal/replacement (Muddy Fox Courier)

[jameshurrell]

OK, newbie alert

I have an old 86 Muddy Fox Courier that I am (very) slowly stripping... I'm ok with general bike maintenance, but I've never taken apart the headeset before (left it to LBS BITD).

The headset in this Courier is the original threaded item and is very stiff and obviously needs replacing (plus I need to get it out to have the frame powder coated). I've removed the top locking nut (it took a bit of persuasion but eventually budged), then there was a spacer, then this odd looking horrendously corroded round ring thing:

All three bits:

This then left this on the steerer - it looks like it has coiled metal inside it.

By this point it had gone dark, so I've given up for tonight. But just wondering what I do next... does this ring unscrew as well and then should the forks drop out (ahem!) :?:

As for replacement - i guess I need everything...?? Suggestions?

Many thanks for your combined knowledge...!

 

[jameshurrell]

If anyone's interested (judging by the mountain of responses, obviously not!! ), the bit left on the steerer did indeed contain a coil of metal that gripped the steerer itself. Tightening the metal ring tightened the coil on the steerer. Very odd indeed.

Anyway, once that bit unscrewed, the forks dropped out easily. All it now leaves is the headset cups on the head tube and the crown race on the forks... avidly reading Google on how to remove those...

 

[sweety]

The cups should tap out with a long extension bar from a socket set & a hammer will that's how i've removed them in the past & used a roll punch & hammer for the crown race

 

[coomber]

The cups should tap out with a long extension bar from a socket set & a hammer will that's how i've removed them in the past & used a roll punch & hammer for the crown race

Yeah if steel frame then I'd use the largest flat screwdriver you have and tap the cups out. There's a park tool to do it but this works just as well, just go easy so you dont overly score the inside of your headtube.

Get a whole new headset if I were you. No corrossion, lots of grease etc.

 

[REKIBorter]

Use 22mm copper tube. Saves damaging the frame and cups but stiff enough to do the job.

 

[jameshurrell]

Just to let anyone know that's re-reading this, I used the 22mm copper pipe and cut 4 slits into one end about 4 inches long. Then splayed them out slightly and hey presto, job's a good'un! Worrks brilliantly.

Thanks.

 

[TW85]

hey, I have an '87 Courier. It's a GT Epoch headset isn;t it? I never saw one like it before, thought someone added it because that's all they had!

To get cups out, I use a socket extension, and then the largest socket that will fit through the gap, tap tap softly with a hammer, they should pop out before too long