Fork Crown race A 50cm length of 1 1/8in diameter tube cut from a scrap frame will serve perfectly to mount a headset crown race. Frame cups Place the lower deeper frame cup and shallower top cups approximately in place and assemble a makeshift headset press from a length of 1/2in studding and two old style bottom bracket cups or sockets to press on the cups internal surfaces, held together with the appropriate nuts. Don¹t press on the outer edges of alloy cups; it is normally safe to press on the hard bearing surfaces. Using two spanners tighten the nuts carefully pressing the cups into position. Continuously check that the cups are going in straight, if not tap free and start again. Ensure that they seat perfectly squarely and fully into the frame.
Bottom bracket Cups A 16 x 100mm bolt and two nuts will take out even the most stubborn fixed cup. Screw one nut down about four cm, place the end through the fixed cup from the inside and screw on the second nut on the outside. Tighten this nut with a socket whilst holding the bolt head with a spanner. Then continue turning the outside second nut until the cup unscrews. With Italian threaded cups you need to turn the other end of the bolt. The bolt can also be used to install fixed cups. The bolt and the nuts are made of much softer steel than the cup surfaces so damage is done to the races.
The only time you should need to go go to a local shop/framebuiklder is if your frame is being converted from the old English headset to a Campagnolo one. Then the crown race seat will probably need recutting and the head tube will need milling.
Hilary Stone
> The real bike mechanics are going to cringe but I have a Cresent adjustable
> wrench that is almost 3 feet long and is as heavy as two of my bikes it has
> enough leverage you just have to be careful not to scratch the paint. I put
> duct tape on the paint and twist carefully. Just remember which way they are
> threaded. Sam D.