Loose fork

[Ryyy]

I bought a new headset for a fixie *id never ridden or taken much note of*

And when assembling the bike headset/bike together i have a bit of fork wobble which i dont know was ever there or not hence **

The cups are sat in the frame okay and i think the question is am i putting it back together right and/or am i missing something?

Photo 1 shows a thing next to a thing already on my forks, is that the same part or does the one im holding go elsewhere?

Photo 2 is plastic with a slit in it, where tf does that go as my old headset setup didnt have anything like it iirc.

Photo 3, that just covers the headset cup right?

Thanks for any help, internet either isnt answering my question or blagging my head.

[moonigan]

Does the new bearings sit in the head tube ok? The first image looks like a new fork race, does this fit into the bottom bearing? If so then you’ll probably need to remove the one that’s on the fork at the moment. Looking at it, it might need some persuasion.

The top part with the split looks like it sits on top of the fork steerer before putting the stem on but without seeing the top part of the fork in the tube its hard to say for certain.

[Ryyy]

moonigan said:

Does the new bearings sit in the head tube ok? The first image looks like a new fork race, does this fit into the bottom bearing? If so then you’ll probably need to remove the one that’s on the fork at the moment. Looking at it, it might need some persuasion.

The top part with the split looks like it sits on top of the fork steerer before putting the stem on but without seeing the top part of the fork in the tube its hard to say for certain.

New bearing sit in the head tube fine.

Id rather try get away with not taking the fork race part off as it will now be held on with paint and corrosion its the same brand headset so hopefully okay, if not ill take it off

Does this photo do any justice?

[WPA]

This



Goes over the steerer and presses down on the top bearing then you have the top cap on top.

[Ryyy]

Thankyou that means though thar my trial and error of trying possibilities i have had everything correct at one point which begs the question, why do i have play in the forks?

[trails]

bit late to the party...



Question above...steerer tube length; have you got adequate room between the top of your stem and top cap so you can tighten it without them touching?

[Ryyy]

When i put the risers/spacers on + the stem, the stem is flush with the top of the steerer tube, should the forks sit just below the spacers?

[trails]

Ryyy said:

When i put the risers/spacers on + the stem, the stem is flush with the top of the steerer tube, should the forks sit just below the spacers?

Yup, needs to be able to clamp on stem not top of steerer tube

[Ryyy]

trails said:

Yup, needs to be able to clamp on stem not top of steerer tube

Right okay thankyou, i have a 5mm spacer ill put on tonight and see about that as appose to getting the grinder out. In theory should that stop my fork wobble?

[trails]

Ryyy said:

Right okay thankyou, i have a 5mm spacer ill put on tonight and see about that as appose to getting the grinder out. In theory should that stop my fork wobble?

No worries

yes, adding the spacer should give you enough headroom to tighten down on the stem not the steerer tube. Let us know if that does sort it.

[GuigiaroBertone]

Ryyy said:

Right okay thankyou, i have a 5mm spacer ill put on tonight and see about that as appose to getting the grinder out. In theory should that stop my fork wobble?

It will stop it if the wobble is less than 5mm!

If you have all the spacers you will ever need below the stem, you can saw a bit off the steerer tube. You'll also save a couple of grams too

Remember to tighten the preload (compression) bolt before you tighten the stem/steerer bolts. Only tighten the preload bolt enough to fully remove the play in the system- there's no need to tighten it any more.

[Ryyy]

Thanks for the replies, its worked! thanks everyone and yes i tightened the compression bolt before the stem will get out on it over the weekend if the weather plays ball

[bobbo89]

Ryyy said:

Thanks for the replies, its worked! thanks everyone and yes i tightened the compression bolt before the stem will get out on it over the weekend if the weather plays ball

Important not to over-tighten the preload bolt, it wants to be 'nipped' up rather than 'tightened' up. Too tight and you'll chew the bearings in your new headset in no time.

It's a fine balance between the steering being light and not making and grinding noises whilst also having no movement when you put the front brake on and rock the bike back and forth.