Branford Bike: Fork Column Star Fangled Nut Tips

Branford Bike Online Catalog - Archival Edition
brought to you by the former owner of Branford Bike, Tim Brockett via his personal web site, TimsLife.Com

This is an archival edition of the Branford Bike web site from February 2006. Complete with product photos, prices, how to articles and technical specifications it is a treasure trove of accurate, detailed and historical information. Most of the products are no longer available but if you see something you would like, please contact the new owner of Branford Bike, Rodd Wagner via info@branfordbike.com.

Branford Bike was a huge part of my life for over 30 years. I enjoyed those years tremendously and Branford Bike was often a labor of love. I hope you enjoy browsing through the archival catalog. If your visit brings back pleasant memories please share them with me via e-mail at timbrockett@gmail.com.
Enjoy!
Tim Brockett

The incinerated remains of Branford Bike after the 2006 Big Creek forest fire.
The landscape, house, shop and inventory were completely destroyed by the flames.

	Branford Bike 129 Sagittarius Skyway, PO Box 1711, Emigrant, MT 59027 USA
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Headset, Seat Posts and Pedals Section: Page 19

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- Fork Column Star Fangled Nut Tips -

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Tools and Supplies

Threadless Nut Setter Park TNS-1
Ball Peen Hammer
Long punch (for removal of old nut).

This article will discuss installing and removing the "star fangled nut" into threadless fork steering columns. For related information see

Visit our Headset 101 page 1 to read about Bicycle Headset Standards and Nomenclature.
Visit our Headset 101 page 2 to read about Working with Traditional Threaded Headsets.
Visit our Headset 101 page 3 to read about Working with Threadless Headsets.
Visit our Tool Use Tips page 1 to read about Reaming and Facing Tips.
Visit our Tool Use Tips page 2 to read about Fork Crown Cutting Tips.
Visit our Tool Use Tips page 3 to read about Fork Column Cutting Tips.

Threadless headsets are adjusted by pressure on the top bearing race. Pressure is applied when the bolt in the top cap is tightened. The stem bolt must be loosened, making the stem effectively a spacer during the adjustment. The bolt is threaded into the star fangled nut. This is a fitting that is installed into the fork column. The nut is designed not to pull upward. In other words, it is designed not to be removed.

The star fangled nut outer diameter is slightly bigger than the inside diameter of the fork column. This allows the flanges to bite into the fork walls and hold it tight.

Star Fangled Nut Installation

Mount the nut with concave side toward tool thread. Hold TNS over steering column and tap on top on TNS with ball peen hammer. Hold tool aligned while striking TNS.

The TNS places the nut about 15mm (9/16") below the top of the steering column. This allows the adjusting bolt to thread fully into the nut for adjustment pre-load.

It can also help maintain alignment to use the stem as an alignment guide. This technique works ONLY if you use the newer longer TNS models. Install stem onto column. Engage so most of the stem sticks up above the column. Do not tighten any upper pinch bolt. Place TNS with nut inside stem and column and tap downward.

Removing Star Fangled Nuts

The star fangled nut is basically designed not to be removable. If it is necessary to install another nut, simply use a punch and drive the first nut down until deeper than the new nut will sit. It is not necessary to completely remove the old nut. It is also possible to drive the old nut completely through the column and out the bottom. This will make the nut unusable. It can also work to drill out the center of the nut, and then tap out the remaining pieces.

Screw Replacement

The TNS-1 has a replaceable screw, part #822. Use a small amount of removable thread locking compound on the threads of the new screw. Use 3mm hex wrench in end of screw, and thread into body, leaving about 10 threads exposed.

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