Installing CK headsets without CK adapters?

[maslow]

I’m hunting for a Chris King 1.5” adapter set but it seems that Chris King have discontinued that product. I’ve got CK adapters for 1”, 1 1/8” and the 1 1/4” and always use them when installing. But I’ve just picked up a rig that needs a 1.5” inset 7 (which I have ready to install).

I went online to purchase an adapter set and found they no longer make them?! I was going to email Chris King to get some advice and I suspect many folk install them with home made diy headset presses (something I’ve never had to do as I’ve a Cyclus tools press - useful when you’re doing work on expensive bikes).

Any leads as to where I can get the 1.5” adapters from or should I look at alternatives? Cane Creek have an adapter set (although again I’m having trouble locating a store that has them in stock). Also how would I go about fitting the CK 1.5” crown race without the CK baseplate adapter?

[AngryScientist]

I believe something like this is what you're looking for?

https://wheelsmfg.com/headset-cup-drift.html

There are loads of base plate setting tools on the net ranging from amazon level cheap to more expensive and most include adapters for popular baseplate diameters. To me, it's OK to go cheap on this tool.

[Mark McM]

Any cup press with flat faces will work. The purpose of the tool is to keep the press concentric with the cup(s). As long as you are careful when you align the cup press, it will press the cups in straight.

[Deanhorsfall]

I have the Ck set, I'll take a look and see if the 1.5" is much different.

[Deanhorsfall]

The Ck tool is 60mm in diameter and has a bevel on the outside. For the Ck nothreadset EC34 I have the Ck drifts and I purchased Cane Creek's version which I had to modify to work with the Ck. ( They were slightly too large so just under .1mm had to be removed. I would like to recommend the Cane Creek 1 1/8" adapters for regular EC34 cups but I don't know how well their 1 1/2" adapter would work. If anyone has used a Cane Creek on a Ck 1.5" I would be curious to know how well it works?
https://canecreek.com/product/headset-tools/

[Deanhorsfall]

Here is a tool/seller which makes his own version that I have heard is good.(He has the tools listed on Pinkbike as well).
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/294311587898...mis&media=COPY

[Deanhorsfall]

https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/1392892/

[maslow]

Originally Posted by Deanhorsfall

https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/1392892/

That's great, thanks and thanks to everyone else for the input.

Using the headset tools I already have which include a Cyclus Headset press, Cyclus crown setting tool and the CK 1", 1 1/8" and 1 1/4" headset adapters I 'carefully' managed to get the cups in with the help of a few 65mm diameter 5mm thick steel washers. I used the 1 1/8" adapter for the upper headset cup so it was just the bottom cup that was the slightly trickier one to fit.

As regards to crown race during lock down I'd bought a cheap amazon 1.5" adapter that works with my Cyclus setting tool. The bottom edge that makes contact with the race is a really poor quality casting and the last time I used it, it marked the race hence me assuming I needed the correct CK base place adapter ring (the one with the bevelled edge). Anyhow I took a dremel to the said 1.5" adapter and a couple of different files so there was a better fit when contacting the race.

I'll get in touch with that seller on Pink bike as I'd prefer to have the correct adapter for next time I need to install a 1.5" headset. I'm a bit old fashioned and prefer to have the right tool for the job in hand.

Thanks again.

[tellyho]

I had no idea this tool existed. I have some random machined bits that work with some headsets, but for many it's just the washer against the headset cup. Have yet to destroy a headset