New Frame

[FSSS]

I have a question for any mechanics or ex-mechanics out there...

I recently picked up a NEW aluminum frame on eBay. Does anything need to be done to the frame before the headset and BB are installed? I thought I remember reading (something, somewhere) about "facing" the ends of the head tube and/or the bottom bracket????

[nigel]

What brand is it? If its one of the big guys your chances are fairly good you wont have to do anything. Otherwise check the top and bottom of the headset to see if they are flat, no burrs ect... if there is you can CAREFULY take a metal file to it flat across the top, then press in your headset. Same for the bottom bracket, check both sides, except here you might also need to "chase" the threads or get the started correctly if it is not faced right. More than likely youll be ok. If you are taking it to a LBS to have them put in the hedset and BB they should check that before they do it on any new frame.

D

[FSSS]

Thanks Douglas.
It's a Fetish Cycles Discipline, definitely not one of the big guys. It's just a run-of-the-mill, made in Taiwan frame (but what do expect for $99). The HT and BB look clean and straight, but the ends of the HT and BB are painted.
Is the paint gonna cause problems?

I'll probably go to a LBS for headset installation (I don't have a headset press), and do the BB myself.

[FSSS]

Did a little more research on the Park Tool website... I think I'll just have a LBS do both.

[nigel]

You can lightly file/sand off the paint easy enough. As big of a deal facing sounds, 90% of the time you dont need to do it, but when you dont do it and it needs it, thats when your screwed if you try and install stuff.