[Triphop]

I did a search but wasn't satisfied with the information that I found...so I am asking again.

1) Installing the race on the fork...I got the pvc and the mallet, is it necessary to face the fork crown? I read someone saying it was necessary, but just want to be sure.

2) Installing the star fangled nut into the steerer...I read about doing so with a screwdriver and hammer. Any comments or concerns with this method?

I am not opposed to going to the LBS, but would rather learn how to do it myself.

 

[oldfart]

Most forks these days are good from the factory and don't need facing. Screwdriver and hammer will be pretty tough. A bolt threaded into the starnut and centered with an old metal top cap will work OK but the proper tool works even better. I would think that if you dropped by your local shop with a sack of baked goods or barley sandwiches (beer) it would get done for free in about 11 seconds.

Drop by my place in North Van and I'll do it free and give you a beer! I got some Carona's chillin'.

 

[Orvan]

two things:
1. it's always better to have a shop do it for you and often times (or always if you ask) they'll show you how to properly do it.

2. having the right tools make it so much easier to do

What I do.. For the race, you don't need to face the crown/steerer tube..Actually, abosultely don't do it!!
Grease the area where the race will be set.. insert the race and pound it down until it rest flat on top of the crown.. Just pure man power no magic or tricks..

As for the Star nut, without the specific park tool, chances are you're gonna screw up on the first few tries...like inserting it tweaked on one side, too deep, too shallow and just plain wrong. The park tool sets it straight and in proper depth. Without the tool, I use a real long stem bolt. Screw it in the star nut, line up the nut on the steerer hole and gingerly pound it down..compensate on the hammering as the nut (with this method) will have the tendency to slip sideways... go in about 3/4 of an inch. Back the bolt out and viola...!!

ps:
I don't use a plastic pipe to pound the race down, I use this steel pipe. This way I can pound the race down without the need for a hammer....it fits a 1.5 steer tube too..
Top of the pipe is the Park Star Nut setter tool.. nice to have in the tool box but rarely used (since I use headlock nowadays)..
Hope this helped!

 

[Triphop]

Thanks guys!

I figured it might be pretty tough. The right tools make all the difference. well, when my frame gets here...2 weeks...I may just take it to the LBS with some refreshments.

Where is North Van?

 

[Matt D]

I imagine he means North Vancouver, British Columbia (i.e. Canada, i.e. not worth the drive for a fork install )

 

[Rev.Chuck]

If I have seen you in my shop before and you were not a tool, I would just slap in the star nut for free on the spot. You don't even need to bring me a donut or beer. For that matter if you just came in and asked nice, that would be enough.
One thing about banging on a race or knocking a star nut in, be careful of just sitting the fork on the floor and banging away, you can break off the dropout. You can mount the front wheel in the fork to protect the drop outs. Or, for doing the star nut, clamp the steerer in a repair stand.

 

[Triphop]

Good point about protecting the dropouts.

Now that I think of it, the star nut tool is probably only a little more than double the cost of a six pack, so I think I may just buy it, and never have to worry again.

North Vancouver...yeah, that might be a bit too much of a drive for a fork install...but for some beer I might consider it!

 

[SK6]

So the local lbs and beer would be a good bet then huh?

 

[ioscope]

Don't let nobody tell you nothin'! Don't go to a LBS.
YOu need these skills, Here are your tools: Wood sticks, hammer, screwdriver.

Carefully ram that race on with a standard screwdriver and a hammer, or the pvc since you have it already.

Now take that star nut, thread the screw in it, put some wood on top, ram away.

The tools are really just glorified chunks of wood.