1950's Columbia Headset size

[fire_strom]

I have a Columbia built Goodyear and the headset is toast. I pulled it out and the cups were 33.3mm. the steer tube was 25.4mm OD and the ID was 22mm.

There could be a step on the bottom of the steer tube that bumps up the crown race size but I couldn't tell.

None of these number seem to match the numbers on the headsets I see for sale. The Old school BMX ones are closest but not that close.

Are my numbers off or am I stuck shimming or what.

I tried searching the forum but didn't see an answer.

Thanks
Scott

 

[fire_strom]

The bearing is marked 52.
Scott

 

[fire_strom]

btt

Am I the only one in the world with a 33.3mm head tube ID?
Help please!
Scott

 

[Honestherman]

Scott, Did they use mm in 1950 for stuff made in USA?

I have a problem too
Most of my steering stems off other bikes are 7/8
But I have one great fork that will only take 13/16. I want a two piece stem so I can put some cool bars on it. But NO Luck for me so far.

 

[fire_strom]

I am pretty sure it would have been referred to in inches, 1.31 or 1 1/3 (close and easy, not exact.) I was using metric because that's what I see these days when referring to headset cups (but not steer tubes).

There are shims that go from 13/16 to 7/8. Not sure if that would help.

GL!

Scott

 

[Freqman1]

This is a standard headset. The only ones I'm aware of that were shimmed were the Monark Five/Four Bar bikes due to the 'collared' headtube. See link provided. V/r Shawn

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mint-Vintag...ultDomain_0&hash=item565d9b3a50#ht_649wt_1177

 

[fire_strom]

I saw that listing, he is a great seller IME.

The cups' ID's are almost a MM too small. That seems to loose. 1.28" (32.5mm) v. 1.3114" (33.3mm).

Is that within tolerance?

Thanks
Scott

 

[Freqman1]

They should be fine. V/r Shawn

 

[fire_strom]

I am still struggling with this. I have two Columbia frames now and both measure out to 33.3. Is there really no headset designed to fit? Bore it out to 1 1/8th (34mm) and use a 1 1/8 to 1" reducing headset?
Come on, some body here must have solved this.

Please-
Scott

 

[Freqman1]

The standard headset will fit. You are over thinking this. V/r Shawn