Hi CR,
After a third bike with the Shimano 600 "starfish" headset joined my
herd, I knew it was time to search out the proper tools for
maintainence of these... see:
http://tinyurl.com/
If you're not familiar, this was a "design innovation" included in the early-80's Dura-Ace and 600 groups. Instead of only using a conventional steel 32mm wrench to turn those soft alloy head parts (which you *can* do, it's a backwards-compatible design), Shimano introduced a custom eight-lobed knurled interface with a corresponding alloy tool set. In one way a novel and another a practical idea, in theory it would reduce the marring effects of steel-on-alloy hamfist wrenching (while giving a "totally awesome!" and alien looking headset).
Anyhow, now having examples of both - one marred starfish and now, two pristine examples - I had to find those wrenches! After following up a number of dead ends (shops rumored to have a "stock" of these turning out to have tossed 'em, etc.), I consulted theBay where, inevitably the price would always run up much higher than I cared for.
So, I hatched a plan B: finally able to borrow one, I translated the original into CAD and then CNC'd a pair from 6061 alloy stock. The result was a perfect copy (I did shorten the handles by an inch to reduce my material cost), and at long last, I had my own set of wrenches!
Having a hunch I'm not alone having bikes with these, and pleased with the results of my "prototype" - if anyone is interested in one/two/many of these, I'm considering producing more. I can afford to do so for $25-a-pair (or, $15-for-one - but, you really should get a pair) + shipping. Let me know if you're interested, as I'm looking for a solid number before I proceed with running more of these off. Pics of course available (when I get home!).
Thanks!
=- Joe Bunik
newly relocated in
Walnut Creek, CA