>>>>>The thread on stands & fixed cups leads me to something I've been pondering. How difficult/dangerous/economical is it for me to replace headsets? I'd need to buy the crown race remover, the fixed cup remover, the crown race setter, and the head race press (only for 1" headsets). New, it's about $220 for all four tools (looking for used), but I could replace about 4 right away, and would have the tools available for other future replacements. Is there anything I'm overlooking?
Roy "oh, oh, more tools!" Drinkwater<<<<
Roy -
Headset installation and removal is not difficult, but I would suggest (at least to start) that you invest in crown race and cup race removers. They're fairly cheap (especially used), are easy and efficient to use, and protect the HS pieces from damage and distortion. Crown race setters come in a wide variety of types, but a cheap and easy solution is to buy one of the small, steel ring types that slide over the steerer and contact the top of the race. Then cut a length of pipe in the appropriate size to use as a slide-hammer over the steerer, hitting the setting ring and, in turn, the race.
The threaded-rod and cap or washer approach to setting the cups is a good, inexpensive solution as the cup press is the most expensive tool in the mix. The advantage of a proper press is that, once started, you can usually align the cups with one hand and turn the press with the other. The threaded-rod and nuts method usually requires your two hands on the top and bottom nuts. Try using an external-toothed lock washer on the bottom nut, but not on the top nut.
Wayne Bingham
FC VA