Mechanical numpty strikes again.

[Kell]

Thanks for the help on the one bike. It's now all working well.

So that's the 2000 Orange P7 taken care of.



But I have another - which is my real baby - a '94 Orange p7.

I plan to completely restore this and I've stripped it down and removed the bb, but I'm a little stuck when it comes to the headset.

From what I remember when I used to ride it regularly, it's loose ball bearings inside, but what I really need to know is do I need any specialist tools to remove the forks?

I don't want to get into it and then get stuck so I was looking for advice on the type of headset it is and what I need to take it apart and reassemble it.

Thanks in advance.

[gazza285]

No special tools needed, it's an old fashioned threaded headset. Undo the bolt in the top of the stem a bit, tap it with a hammer, ruemove stem. Undo the top nut, remove the washer, which may or may not have an internal tab on it, undo the lower nut, which incorporates the bearing race. Remove forks.

[anonymous-user]

If the races are OK, just two big spanners. If the races are shot, you need tools to get the races out of the frame and off the fork. And back in.

Lbs might be easier and quicker to put a new one in if that is the case

[Barchettaman]

If the bearings are in little circular 'cages' make a note of their orientation and be sure not to replace them upside down or else the headset will be rough as a badger's arse.

[Kell]

Thanks peeps.

Just looked up prices for headset presses and crown race removal tools so I'm going to hope I don't need to use any.

Edited by Kell on Monday 14th September 12:33

[dogbucket]

You can drift the races out the frame with a screwdriver if you are careful to knock it out as evenly as possible. Refitting can be done with a lump of wood and a hammer, again making sure it goes in square. I have done all mine like that for years including carbon frames without an issue.

The crown race can be difficult to do without the special tool particularly newer suspension forks. However on old 1 1/8 forks you might be able to get a screwdriver on it from below and tap it off. Ice Tools do a cheap remover. Refitting needs a length of pipe to slip over the steerer and tap down, but some headsets like Hope have a split crown race so it can be pushed on by hand.