George,
I think the illustration is incorrect in catalog 18. The part number is also odd and seems to reflect the newer numbering system with oh-so-many digits. Irrespective of what the catalog indicates, the SR road headsets included the engraved alloy spacer up to the bitter end. There was only one thickness. It was approximately 3mm. There are some other details that may interest you regarding the spacers included with the SR headsets.
The early units came with a plain alloy spacer that looked just like the typical Record spacer, but rendered in aluminum. I think the special engraved spacer first appeared in the supplement that announnced the revised SR rear derailleur and 1-bolt post. I suspect that it was actually available earlier than that. The engraved spacer had the benefit of stabilizing the headset wrenches due to its larger diameter. I suspect that this was done because it's so easy to mar the alloy parts if the wrench slips. There was a special clip that could be installed to space the wrenches, a tool that goes back to well before Super Record, if I'm not mistaken. The new spacer eliminated the "need" to use this clip.
It is also noteworthy (loosely speaking) that as with the spacer, the early SR locknuts had the same form as the Record counterpart. The later SR locknuts (the VAST majority out there) had a different shape from Record.
The pista headsets did not adopt the engraved spacer at the same time that the strada headsets did. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure they came with the thin alloy spacer from the beginning, and I know they only started coming through with the engraved alloy spacer quite a number of years after that spacer appeared on the road headsets. It is not clear whether the engraved spacer was included with the pitsa headsets consistently after a certain date, or intermittently after a certain date.
Tom Dalton Bethlehem PA USA
gholl(AT)optonline.net Subject: [CR]Question: Campagnolo Super Record Head Set Spacers
The use of Campy head set spacers, usually engraved "Campagnolo Italy Patent" is very common. Suprisingly, I'm looking at the Campagnolo Catalogue No. 18, pages 48 and 49, in the Head Set section, and I don't see this part listed. Am I missing something obvious? I have a feeling this is a very dumb question. In any event, were these spacers available in different sizes (i.e. thicknesses) ? Were the pista and strada spacers the same? What is a good source for these spacers? Thanks to all, George
George Hollenberg MD CT, USA
---------------------------------
Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.