Cheseldine

Hello everyone,

I recently acquired an 85 Ironman that is in need of a new headset. The existing one has bad indents where the bearings were indexing - too much for the loose ball replacement method.

I am terrible when it comes to finding out what will fit, can you please help me with finding a comparable quality replacement?

Thank you!!!

seypat

There is a thread further down the list titled "Post Your Centurion Ironman For The Love Of 80s Paint Jobs." That thread is dedicated to Ironman bikes. You will probably get a faster answer there. In the meantime, I will look for an answer and get back to you.

Vintage_Cyclist

The original headset on that bike should be a Shimano HP-6207, 600EX headset. If I'm not mistaken, you need the version with a 27mm fork crown race, but that should be confirmed.

VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano HP-6207, 600EX

Steelman54 

Look up stack height of headset that came with bike and get new headset with that stack height. Note Vintage Cyclists comment about fork crown race diameter.

rccardr 

That's a 27mm crown race on a Tange Levin headset.
Still widely available, although you need to make sure it's a 27mm race. Lots of 26.4's out there.
Tree Fort has them for $20.99, a good price.

ramzilla

I've got a simple remedy for indexed headsets. Take off the front wheel, handlebars, cables and everything else except the bare fork & headset. Tighten the headset nuts down until the fork is very tight & nearly frozen solid. Begin rotating the fork round and round. Continue adjusting the headset nuts & rotating until the races are worn smooth. Take it all apart. Replace the grease & bearings. Tighten the headset nuts down until the bearing surface runs smooth. That's it. That's all. Done deal. Be good. Have fun.

Cheseldine

Thank you all very much!!! Your help is much appreciated. I ordered the one from Tree Fort and will update with my progress.