Not so much a rant alert as a resigned sigh alert. I am having a bad day everything I have tried to do today has turned to worms so thought I would tackle this problem as a diversion. What could go wrong?

Why oh why oh why are headsets so complicated? If ever an item needed an ISO spec its headsets. (Sigh all over)

The story so far is bike frame arrived with CK headset fitted and base plate fitted on forks. All I had to do was assemble.
I now want to fit some RockShox and need a base plate and, yes, I know I could use the one already fitted, if I can get it off without damaging it, but want to swop between rigid and sprung so a base plate on each seems a good idea. To make matters worse I have tidied away the leaflet that came with the HS so have no idea which of the infinite combinations of HSs CK can produce I need the base plate for. A few weeks ago when I had the HS information leaflet I managed to identify four different baseplates that could be used but that is as far as I got. In reality is there only one possible part that could be used or does it depend on the actual parts used in the HS?
Working from first principles:
It’s a Stooge.
It’s a CK Headset.
Its tapered.
The new forks are Reba tapered.
Anyone suggest the part number of the base plate I need please?

I'm assuming it's just a CK 'No Threadset'?

Tapered forks will require a 1.5" I/D crown race, so this one should do: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/chri ... p-prod2043

Why not cut the base plate and then this makes swapping between forks much easier?

voodoo_simon wrote:Why not cut the base plate and then this makes swapping between forks much easier?

Explain please.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:I'm assuming it's just a CK 'No Threadset'?

Tapered forks will require a 1.5" I/D crown race, so this one should do: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/chri ... p-prod2043

Is this the part that sits on the forks?
Last time I was tracking parts down it was a couple a quid £15.99 - £34.99 seems a bit steep for a large washer. Still it is CK.

Is this the part that sits on the forks?

Yes, the bit that sits on the forks. CK call it a base plate everyone else in the entire world calls it a crown race.

Simon means that if you cut / split the crown race, it makes fitting and removing far easier as it can noew expend slightly, so no more hammer required.

IIRC Hope ones come ready split.

firedfromthecircus wrote:IIRC Hope ones come ready split.

This. The large washer thing that sits on your fork can be cut one, in affect giving a washer 359 degree circle.

Once cut through, they are very easy to take on and off, you'll just have to do the awkward step of getting it off in the first place.

Think a recent thread on STW explains it a little better than me

Ha found the CK leaflet tucked inside Zinn for safe keeping so I would know where it was.
States on the front 'Inset/Tapered/1.5 and the exploded view does show part M Baseplate.
I hadnt appreciated that it was anything other than a large shouldered washer as didnt have to fiddle with it.
Dont laugh but going to get the lbs to remove it with crown race remover tool then they can match the stem length and insert the sf nut.
I could do all this myself but I dont have the correct tools.
To slit the race/baseplate is a hack saw ok or does it require something better? Is the item is hardened?

Thanks for all the help.

The special tools you need are a smallish hammer and a large flat blade screwdriver. Use the screwdriver to tap the crown race off the forks. (Don't lever it as this will damage the paint on the fork crown).

Then cut a slot in the crown race/baseplate with a junior hacksaw, and then file the burrs smooth.

Job done - it will take less time than a trip to the bike shop.

A hacksaw should do it (as with any of my mechanical knowledge, I'd double get it with someone first!)