Stupid Headset question . . .

[The VW Doc]

. . . I cant believe I am asking this, but here goes!
I got the burner back from the powder coaters today and thought I would start the re-assembly.

Start with something easy - put the forks on the bike!

Unpacked the headset and laid it out as i thought it should go (checked with diagrams so I knew I was correct) and went to fit the bottom race (crown race?) to the forks to find it is a loose fit!?!?!?
Thought that the blasters must have removed soemthing, so thought I would check the old headset pieces from another set of forks - the same issue.
Tried the old headset back on the forks they came from - this is loose also?

I am stumped - I cant beloeve it "gets tight" when you do it all up?

 

[rick1970]

oh dear  when you say crown race do you mean the bearing cup thingy that knocks onto forks first is loose ?

[DJL]

Is it one of the cheap,  halfords db headsets?  If so,  that race always seems to be loose....

[The VW Doc]

oh dear  when you say crown race do you mean the bearing cup thingy that knocks onto forks first is loose ?

Yeah, thats the one

Is it one of the cheap,  halfords db headsets?  If so,  that race always seems to be loose....

No, it wasn't a "Halfords cheapie" - the odd one is that the headset that came from my DP Firebird is also a really loose fit on the forks.

The cups for both sets of headsets are also a loose fit (well not "interference" fit into the frame - but with the top hand tight, and the nut locked down there is no play at all!!??

Well, the truth will out when I try to ride it! - if it all falls apart then it will be a "Show Bike" only!! 

[rick1970]

weird ! im no expert but im guessing its not a 1 inch set you need and some other size you need advice from the burner dudes 

[brettypeeps]

I take it the headset you have are new 1" headset where the crown race is bigger

You need an old headset like a tioga beartrap 2 or Oddysey dynotron or something of that era.

Alans has some tange that will do the job http://www.alansbmx.com/product_info.php?cPath=116_122&products_id=3002

[rick1970]

I take it the headset you have are new 1" headset where the crown race is bigger

You need an old headset like a tioga beartrap 2 or Oddysey dynotron or something of that era.

Alans has some tange that will do the job http://www.alansbmx.com/product_info.php?cPath=116_122&products_id=3002

how mad is that no wonder this bloody hobby is so expensive 1 inch is 1 inch 

[brettypeeps]

I take it the headset you have are new 1" headset where the crown race is bigger

You need an old headset like a tioga beartrap 2 or Oddysey dynotron or something of that era.

Alans has some tange that will do the job http://www.alansbmx.com/product_info.php?cPath=116_122&products_id=3002

how mad is that no wonder this bloody hobby is so expensive 1 inch is 1 inch 

But not all crown races are the same

[rick1970]

Hes tried the old set off the dp too should that not have worked tho ?

[brettypeeps]

On my DP it is a good interference fit for the cups and crown race. Bear trap 2 I had a selection of other 1" headers and all them were loose. I then tried a dynotron and that was a tighter fit. If it was my bike I would be fitting either of those two or the tange mx2.
Pork chop has the beartrap 2
Alans the tange mx2
JT smooth might have a dynotron

[rick1970]

Im begining to follow now  there you go VW    nice one Brett  even i have learnt something   

[The VW Doc]

Cheers guys for all the input  - the buke is still under assembly at the mo (although it was always the plan to finish the DP first, the Burner is coming together quicker!

I will see how it goes when I put the wheels (waiting for spokes) and saddle on it - if it moves then I will bin the 'set I have and try an alternative. Bloody pains in the ass!

[1mancity2]

I've had the same problem with the cups I put the vernier caliper on them and they are .2 of a mm smaller, I just put some insulation tape round the cup then pressed them in 

[brettypeeps]

I've had the same problem with the cups I put the vernier caliper on them and they are .2 of a mm smaller, I just put some insulation tape round the cup then pressed them in 

New 1" headset is it??

[1mancity2]

yep new cheap one bud

[brettypeeps]

as I said above and I know it is a pain but time to buy a different headset as the new ones can Knacker you frame and forks unless it is for a show pony 

On all my bikes I have used Tioga beartrap 2's and they have been spot on