What to do with Head Pro Lite Tour XL 660?

Oz_Rocket · 02-25-2013, 02:04 PM

I bought this racquet about 14 years ago for the one season of competitive tennis I've played in the last 25 years. I was still in my late 20s, could generate lots of power and tennis elbow was something old people had to worry about.

Coming back to the game last year in my early 40s after over a decade off I found that the lightness (290g strung) and extra length were a lot of hard work and caused my arm some grief. So I've tried a few newer racquets and have settled on the new Head Speed Pro which I can still string with poly at lower tensions and has enough weight that I don't feel like it is being pushed around.

But I just love the feel of these old Head constant beam frames and don't really want this to just sit in my bag never to be used again.

So does anyone know the best way to reduce the length, add some more weight and make it more playable?

vsbabolat · 02-25-2013, 03:05 PM

A customizer in OZ is Top Serve.

Hannah19 · 02-25-2013, 11:43 PM

It's no rocket science and can be done in any toolshed

Basically,this is how it works:
> remove the grip and buttcap.
> take a blowdryer to heat up the pallets and remove them carefully. (the heat softens the glue so you can slowly loosen them)
> Take a cutting/sawing tool and cut off the shaft to required length.
> Shorten the pallets likewise and replace them on to the shaft.
> Replace buttcap and add a new grip or use old one if possible.
> Place adhesive lead strip or weights at 3-9 0'clock position to add swingweight and to stabilize the head. Add lead to the 12 o'clock to add swing weight and alter BP.
If you want to make the racquet headlight, place lead weights on the handle or insert silicone in to the handle shaft before replacing the buttcap.

Good luck..

P.S. I have the standard lenght version of this racket, very nice indeed. I added some weight into the handle by means of inserting silicone.

big ted · 03-03-2013, 04:47 PM

like hannah said you can cut off the extra length, then add a leather grip and overgrip to increase the weight, and then add some lead tape in the head to balance it out

02-25-2013, 02:04 PM	#1
Oz_Rocket Rookie Join Date: May 2012 Location: The Land Down Under Posts: 117	What to do with Head Pro Lite Tour XL 660? I bought this racquet about 14 years ago for the one season of competitive tennis I've played in the last 25 years. I was still in my late 20s, could generate lots of power and tennis elbow was something old people had to worry about. Coming back to the game last year in my early 40s after over a decade off I found that the lightness (290g strung) and extra length were a lot of hard work and caused my arm some grief. So I've tried a few newer racquets and have settled on the new Head Speed Pro which I can still string with poly at lower tensions and has enough weight that I don't feel like it is being pushed around. But I just love the feel of these old Head constant beam frames and don't really want this to just sit in my bag never to be used again. So does anyone know the best way to reduce the length, add some more weight and make it more playable?

02-25-2013, 03:05 PM	#2
vsbabolat Legend Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 7,388	A customizer in OZ is Top Serve. __________________ Babolat ruined VS Gut and Tonic Gut with BT7. Why change a gut string that had been perfect for 135 years? It's now overpriced garbage.

02-25-2013, 11:43 PM	#3
Hannah19 Professional Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 848	It's no rocket science and can be done in any toolshed Basically,this is how it works: > remove the grip and buttcap. > take a blowdryer to heat up the pallets and remove them carefully. (the heat softens the glue so you can slowly loosen them) > Take a cutting/sawing tool and cut off the shaft to required length. > Shorten the pallets likewise and replace them on to the shaft. > Replace buttcap and add a new grip or use old one if possible. > Place adhesive lead strip or weights at 3-9 0'clock position to add swingweight and to stabilize the head. Add lead to the 12 o'clock to add swing weight and alter BP. If you want to make the racquet headlight, place lead weights on the handle or insert silicone in to the handle shaft before replacing the buttcap. Good luck.. P.S. I have the standard lenght version of this racket, very nice indeed. I added some weight into the handle by means of inserting silicone. __________________ 2x MAX 200G PRO, Nat.Gut/Ferry Force Super Touch at 58 lbs. Last edited by Hannah19 : 02-26-2013 at 02:10 AM. Reason: add.

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