Re: [CR]Re: Help with Hobbs now Claud Butler

(Example: Events:BVVW)

Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2004 18:03:42 +0000
Subject: Re: [CR]Re: Help with Hobbs now Claud Butler
From: "Bob Reid" <robertrreid@tiscali.co.uk>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <20041217105715.29357.qmail@web81002.mail.yahoo.com>


Jerry wrote ;
> I've gotten the HS back together on the 1950 Claud Butler (Allrounder or Avant
> Coureur, we still aren't sure which) after pulling the fork to find the serial
> #. Only lost two 5/32 ball bearings in the process. The HS is marked
> Brampton inside the top cup. As I mentione earlier, the pressed cups aren't
> really pressed, but slide easily into the HT. Also, the bottom fixed cup has
> wrench flats, which you don't see on modern HS's. Was it standard in the 50's
> for HS cups to slide into the HT rather than the pressed fit used today?

Can't say with any 100% guarantee, but I've yet to see any British headset that was not meant to be installed with an interference / tight fit, requiring it to be pressed in.

What you do come across though, are plenty of examples of poorly installed headsets, with slack cups and/or crown races - maybe a lot to do with the manufacturing tolerances in those days, especially when the headsets been replaced since being first installed with one differing from the original make or type.

A fix - or should that be bodge was to have the cups brazed onto the headtube. Creates no problem with those headsets like some Brampton's with a separate race that can be renewed at a later date, but a nightmare otherwise especially 50+ years down the line.

Bob Reid
Stonehaven
Scotland