Headset Head-Scratcher
12-30-21, 11:00 AM
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Headset Head-Scratcher
I picked up this tandem yesterday from a CL seller who offered it very cheaply in an as-is, come-and-get-it, I’m-moving-and-don’t-feel-like-lugging-it-around-anymore sort-of-situation. I had done some research based on the listing photos, so I knew it was something special, but I was so distracted by cool frame details as I loaded it in the car, that I had to force myself to pay attention on the icy road home!
Here’s one that I’ve never seen. I’ve done some sleuthing, and I’m pretty sure I know what’s going on here, but I haven’t cracked it open yet. I thought I’d throw it out there and see if anybody can predict what I’ll find.
Any guesses?
Here’s one that I’ve never seen. I’ve done some sleuthing, and I’m pretty sure I know what’s going on here, but I haven’t cracked it open yet. I thought I’d throw it out there and see if anybody can predict what I’ll find.
Any guesses?
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12-30-21, 11:06 AM
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Reference American Classic, they made a number of different components. Reasonably well engineered, obscure.
12-30-21, 11:08 AM
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1” threadless? I have an A-C headset in the bin for that configuration, waiting for the right project. Different shape than the OP’s, less bulbous!
12-30-21, 11:09 AM
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12-30-21, 11:12 AM
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I am very jealous! That is an amazing looking bike. The only reasonably priced tandems I see near me are Schwinn twin$$ and the occasional Columbia.
Nice headset but I am not a big threadless fan, perhaps simply from lack of experience.
Nice headset but I am not a big threadless fan, perhaps simply from lack of experience.
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12-30-21, 11:14 AM
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It’s not a threadless headset (head-scratcher).
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12-30-21, 11:18 AM
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Or is it threadless? Crap, maybe not as big a mystery as I thought!
12-30-21, 11:46 AM
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I have three AC Tri-lock headsets. All threaded. I love them. Sealed bearings. BikePro.com / Buyer's Guide / American Classic Headsets - Bicycle Parts at discount prices / the Buyer's Guide / Bicycle Parts at their finest! / Professional Bicycle Source / Bike Pro
Edit: The crown "race" is very delicate. Be gentle if you want to remove it.
Edit: The crown "race" is very delicate. Be gentle if you want to remove it.
Last edited by gearbasher; 12-30-21 at 11:50 AM.
12-30-21, 11:47 AM
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Show us pics when you take it apart. I am interested in how it works.
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12-30-21, 12:18 PM
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kinda looks like a plug was epoxied in
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12-30-21, 12:24 PM
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Who can guess the measurements of these components?
And then, who can surmise why it was done this way?
And then, who can surmise why it was done this way?
12-30-21, 12:36 PM
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That’s a brazen statement.
strange if intriguing set up. Perhaps the builder thought this was the best bullet proof longest life thing going. Unfortunately it totally lacks versatility unless you replace the fork.
BTW any info on the builder?
strange if intriguing set up. Perhaps the builder thought this was the best bullet proof longest life thing going. Unfortunately it totally lacks versatility unless you replace the fork.
BTW any info on the builder?
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
12-30-21, 12:42 PM
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I guess it looks cleaner than a big threadless adapter....
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12-30-21, 12:52 PM
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Did you look in the bottom of the fork? I wonder if that has a wedge and bolt on the bottom?
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
12-30-21, 12:55 PM
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Yes, no adjustment necessary (possible). I guess that's the mark of a true custom; get the fit right the first time. This thing is clearly a work of art: fillet-brazed, matching stems, racks with fender supports, color-matched Silca. Maybe this was in the threaded/threadless transition period when everyone had even stronger opinions about them? Built by John Cutter in San Luis Obispo, California. I was born there, and I love blue bikes, so I couldn't resist. My wife fits great in the stoker position, and I'm going to figure out whatever type of handlebar will work with that stem for me. Hey, for $300 I can make it work.
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12-30-21, 01:02 PM
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in case this helps.. a quick shot of the info in my copy of the Bike Pro catalog (possibly the most informative bike catalog ever printed!)
Steve in Peoria
Steve in Peoria
12-30-21, 01:03 PM
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Nice looking bike, sad how the value of a custom tandem plummets.
