HEADSET TROUBLE - 50s JC HIGGINS
- Thread starter Rat Rod
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This guy has to know. Someone posted this link the other day and I favorited it, can't remember who, but looks like he would know anything you would need to about a Higgins.
This guy has to know. Someone posted this link the other day and I favorited it, can't remember who, but looks like he would know anything you would need to about a Higgins.
if it's like a Murray, I had the same problem. Mine measured that 35 or 36 MM also. A schwinn cup will fit. Or at least fit mine.
Measure the inside diameter of the frame headtube, go to your local bike shop and have them open up the J&B catalog. They can get you the proper size headset from them. also, you might want to measure up the bottom part of the fork's headtube (where the bearing race fits) and the diamater of the stem. All of that is important.
"I have that exact frame. I believe you need a 1 1/8" to 1" reducer that fits on the upper and lower headtube to allow a 1" steer tube to fit."
This has been my experience as well. I still needed to run the 1" fork, the 1 1/8" had clearance issues within the headtube.
62H
This has been my experience as well. I still needed to run the 1" fork, the 1 1/8" had clearance issues within the headtube.
62H
so, did he get it figured out?
i think he needs some more practice w/the calipers
no matter what he has neither 36mm or 25mm will be a correct dimension.....11/8" headset cups are 34mm, keep in mind that's only .3mm larger than a 1" bmx or schwinn cup. if it's the usual "a one inch headset doesn't fit my frame i think i need a 11/8 headset and a bunch of weird adapters" situation he probably tried a 1" road/mtb headset (30.0- 30.2mm cups) which is smaller than what is likely needed- the 1" bmx/schwinn/most really old bike size (33.7mm cups). yes, there are 2 normal, common, 1" headsets! there is also a really cheap wald headset with three 'nubs' that seems to be ever-so-slightly larger (i think it's just because the 'nubs' are intended to deform when pressed in. that worked best on my rollfast). the downside to the wald is that the crown race is a joke- looks about like a pop can shim! i use the crown race from another headset with the same bearing retainer. the j&b and wald headsets are so inexpensive buying both to make one is still no big deal! the next puzzler will be when he finds he has issues combining the rest of the headset with the fork and stem he chooses- we'll cross that bridge when we get to it!
...........or i could be totally wrong and his 60 year old frame really does require a headset from the last two decades..........
i think he needs some more practice w/the calipers
no matter what he has neither 36mm or 25mm will be a correct dimension.....11/8" headset cups are 34mm, keep in mind that's only .3mm larger than a 1" bmx or schwinn cup. if it's the usual "a one inch headset doesn't fit my frame i think i need a 11/8 headset and a bunch of weird adapters" situation he probably tried a 1" road/mtb headset (30.0- 30.2mm cups) which is smaller than what is likely needed- the 1" bmx/schwinn/most really old bike size (33.7mm cups). yes, there are 2 normal, common, 1" headsets! there is also a really cheap wald headset with three 'nubs' that seems to be ever-so-slightly larger (i think it's just because the 'nubs' are intended to deform when pressed in. that worked best on my rollfast). the downside to the wald is that the crown race is a joke- looks about like a pop can shim! i use the crown race from another headset with the same bearing retainer. the j&b and wald headsets are so inexpensive buying both to make one is still no big deal! the next puzzler will be when he finds he has issues combining the rest of the headset with the fork and stem he chooses- we'll cross that bridge when we get to it! ...........or i could be totally wrong and his 60 year old frame really does require a headset from the last two decades..........
man,this is some helpfull info,since that is the frame i`ll be using for the RRBO! keep me from pulling my hair out,down the line! i used an old nos wald head set on ol sneaky pete. worked so well,i went back and bought 3 more sets,just to keep around!
keep me from pulling my hair out,down the line! i used an old nos wald head set on ol sneaky pete. worked so well,i went back and bought 3 more sets,just to keep around! 
yes a 1 1/8 headset will fit but because of the internal lugs a 1 1/8 steer wont fit. so get yo self some 1 1/8 to 1 reducers and your golden. i still could kick myself for not picking up that frame when you had it steve.
Im having a headtube problem as well. I bought the head tube reducer from cHoppersus to fit a 40's Schwinn Liberty and the funny thing is it still doesnt even fit, i could see that its meant to fit the frame but its just a slightly bigger than the headtube. my idea is to just cut one side of the reducer and then it should probably fit snuggly in place but im not sure. My other idea is too file down the inside of the headtube but then again i dont wanna mess up my frame for future fork changes.. should i risk cutting the reducer or should i file down the frame?
