Author Topic: Headset issue (Read 3053 times)

Monk_Wally_Honk · « **on:** January 26, 2015, 03:38 PM »

Bike I'm putting together at the moment is giving me a bit of an issue in the headset department. Initially got the F&F delivered from the states and the headset was included (an '85 freestyle bike). As i've been collecting bits and sticking them on I'd noticed the headset had a lot of wobble. It was something I thought I'd tackle at the end and now I'm nearly there I took it apart to find only one set of bearings (none above the crown race).

I thought it would be a simple fix to change the headset so ordered one from Alans. New one in and I'm still having the same issue. It either wobbles back and forth or is so tight the bars won't turn.

Hopefully it's something obvious and I'm being a donut. Any ideas?

oldschoolace · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2015, 03:44 PM »

Daft question but your are putting a bearing race top and bottom of the head tube aren't you?

Pic would be usefull

Monk_Wally_Honk · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:18 PM »

Here it is in situ (note the top race sitting skewed)

Here's the bits I can get off and on....

Theres also the bearing cups top and bottom of the head tube and I'm using the original crown race on the forks, Could this be the issue or am I missing something else?

oldschoolace · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:25 PM »

Is that the complete new headset from Alans? the cups look too big for the bearing race or visa versa

Monk_Wally_Honk · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:31 PM »

The top end is exactly as bought, the bottom end is using the original bikes crown race.

oldschoolace · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:39 PM »

hmmm it looks if you centred the fork steerer the knurled edge to the race would be smaller in diameter that the cup which i cant recall seeing before. The race is usually fractionally larger like this

got a link to the headset you bought?

oldschoolace · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:43 PM »

....also is your bearing race upside down, just noticed the slope?

Think that might be the issue actually

bobbbbsy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:43 PM »

probably mismatching parts.

Monk_Wally_Honk · « **Reply #8 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:45 PM »

Quote from: oldschoolace on January 26, 2015, 04:39 PM

got a link to the headset you bought?

It's this one... a cheapo VP

http://www.alansbmx.com/1624988/products/vp_1_inch_threaded_bmx_headset_chrome.aspx

Monk_Wally_Honk · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:45 PM »

Quote from: oldschoolace on January 26, 2015, 04:43 PM

....also is your bearing race upside down, just noticed the slope?

Think that might be the issue actually

Could be - I'll give it a go.

thebigdog · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:47 PM »

Picture looks like the head set cups are fitted outside the frame rather than in it??

Monk_Wally_Honk · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:49 PM »

Quote from: Monk_Wally_Honk on January 26, 2015, 04:45 PM

Quote from: oldschoolace on January 26, 2015, 04:43 PM
....also is your bearing race upside down, just noticed the slope?

Think that might be the issue actually

Could be - I'll give it a go.

Yes they are, told you. Donut.

Let the piss takery commence...

Monk_Wally_Honk · « **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:50 PM »

Quote from: thebigdog on January 26, 2015, 04:47 PM

Picture looks like the head set cups are fitted outside the frame rather than in it??

The top and bottom of the head tube has a ridge. Don't ask me why.

oldschoolace · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:51 PM »

Im sure you are not the first

Monk_Wally_Honk · « **Reply #14 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:54 PM »

Just the first to let the world know.

Bfellows · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2015, 05:42 PM »

Classic. I fitted my BB back to front and spent two days wondering why nothing lined up........ move along now.....

BMX1973 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2015, 06:26 PM »

Just noticed this myself.

Quote from: oldschoolace on January 26, 2015, 04:43 PM

....also is your bearing race upside down, just noticed the slope?

Think that might be the issue actually

bobbbbsy · « **Reply #17 on:** January 26, 2015, 06:40 PM »

them headstes are 6.99 free post on ebay to.

Monk_Wally_Honk · « **Reply #18 on:** January 26, 2015, 07:50 PM »

That's it, keep rubbing it in.

Bast ards.

hokuspokus74 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 26, 2015, 08:25 PM »

why is the bottom cup not in the headtube $:-\$

bobbbbsy · « **Reply #20 on:** January 26, 2015, 09:47 PM »

pickle · « **Reply #21 on:** January 27, 2015, 07:20 AM »

what's a Loop tail?

Monk_Wally_Honk · « **Reply #22 on:** January 27, 2015, 08:54 AM »

Quote from: hokuspokus74 on January 26, 2015, 08:25 PM

why is the bottom cup not in the headtube $:-\$

It is.

Here's a shot of the same frame in white from the museum....

The top and bottom of the headtube has a lip for some reason, the bottom cup is inside the headtube in my picture but you can see the lip which looks like it is part of the cup.

Monk_Wally_Honk · « **Reply #23 on:** January 27, 2015, 08:59 AM »

Quote from: pickle on January 27, 2015, 07:20 AM

what's a Loop tail?

I'm watching you.

It's a move the red arrows do, yes?

Dannywhac · « **Reply #24 on:** January 27, 2015, 09:53 AM »

Those 'lips' are for strengthening the headtube - stops headtube flair (when the front of the bike takes an impact the cups smack the inside of the headtube and cause it to widen).