headset question

Dean A. Stepper said:

Felt like my headset was loose and on checking...it was. Question is how
tight? I went hand tight last time and it loosened up after 6-7
months. Is
a Chris King headset.

This the the method I use:

1) With the front end off the ground, ratchet up on the top cap screw
until the handlebar no longer turns easily.

2) Back off on the screw till the handlebar does turn easily (without
resistance). Then tighten the stem bolts.

--
Slacker
"Riding up hill is like masterbating with a sandpaper glove...You knew it
was a bad idea the instant you heard about it." bikecowboy69

Slacker said:

Dean A. Stepper said:

Felt like my headset was loose and on checking...it was. Question
is how tight? I went hand tight last time and it loosened up after
6-7
months. Is
a Chris King headset.

This the the method I use:

0. Loosen the stem bolts...

Quoted message said:

1) With the front end off the ground, ratchet up on the top cap screw
until the handlebar no longer turns easily.

2) Back off on the screw till the handlebar does turn easily (without
resistance). Then tighten the stem bolts.

--
Slacker
"Riding up hill is like masterbating with a sandpaper glove...You
knew it was a bad idea the instant you heard about it." bikecowboy69

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC
(Remove XSPAM)

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Slacker said:

Dean A. Stepper said:

Felt like my headset was loose and on checking...it was. Question
is how tight? I went hand tight last time and it loosened up after
6-7
months. Is
a Chris King headset.

This the the method I use:

0. Loosen the stem bolts...

Quoted message said:

1) With the front end off the ground, ratchet up on the top cap screw
until the handlebar no longer turns easily.

2) Back off on the screw till the handlebar does turn easily (without
resistance). Then tighten the stem bolts.

--

I always miss that pesky 'zeroth' step! ;^)

Mike

Michael Dart said:

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Slacker said:

On Fri, 3 Sep 2004 19:41:22 -0700, Dean A. Stepper
<[email hidden]> wrote:

> Felt like my headset was loose and on checking...it was. Question
> is how tight? I went hand tight last time and it loosened up after
> 6-7
> months. Is
> a Chris King headset.
>
>
This the the method I use:

0. Loosen the stem bolts...

Quoted message said:

1) With the front end off the ground, ratchet up on the top cap screw
until the handlebar no longer turns easily.

2) Back off on the screw till the handlebar does turn easily (without
resistance). Then tighten the stem bolts.

--

I always miss that pesky 'zeroth' step! ;^)

Mike

Dang it, no wonder that screw kept stripping on me.

--
Slacker
"Riding up hill is like masterbating with a sandpaper glove...You knew it
was a bad idea the instant you heard about it." bikecowboy69

Zilla said:

Slacker said:

Dean A. Stepper said:

Felt like my headset was loose and on checking...it was. Question
is how tight? I went hand tight last time and it loosened up after
6-7
months. Is
a Chris King headset.

This the the method I use:

0. Loosen the stem bolts...

Quoted message said:

1) With the front end off the ground, ratchet up on the top cap screw
until the handlebar no longer turns easily.

2) Back off on the screw till the handlebar does turn easily (without
resistance). Then tighten the stem bolts.

--
Slacker
"Riding up hill is like masterbating with a sandpaper glove...You
knew it was a bad idea the instant you heard about it." bikecowboy69

I like to hold the bike by the top tube near the seat, and bounce the
front wheel off the ground. Listen for a knocking sound. If you hear
that, the headset is still too loose. Tighten the top cap screw another
1/8 turn, retighten the stem bolts and check again. Don't get it too
tight, or you'll regret it the next time you try to ride no-hands.
Note that suspension forks and disk brakes complicate adjusting headsets
these days.

Shawn

Dean A. Stepper said:

Felt like my headset was loose and on checking...it was. Question is how
tight? I went hand tight last time and it loosened up after 6-7 months. Is
a Chris King headset.

10 inch/pounds. In wrist calibration, that really isn't very much.
Snug, but not tight with a screwdriver-style allen should do it.

miles (a believer in quality torque wrenches)

miles todd said:

Dean A. Stepper said:

Felt like my headset was loose and on checking...it was. Question
is how tight? I went hand tight last time and it loosened up after
6-7 months. Is a Chris King headset.

10 inch/pounds. In wrist calibration, that really isn't very much.
Snug, but not tight with a screwdriver-style allen should do it.

miles (a believer in quality torque wrenches)

And then, when he turns around, tighten everything ...more.

Bill "stop right before the crack and/or strip" S.

S o r n i said:

miles todd said:

Dean A. Stepper said:

Felt like my headset was loose and on checking...it was. Question
is how tight? I went hand tight last time and it loosened up after
6-7 months. Is a Chris King headset.

10 inch/pounds. In wrist calibration, that really isn't very much.
Snug, but not tight with a screwdriver-style allen should do it.

miles (a believer in quality torque wrenches)

And then, when he turns around, tighten everything ...more.

Bill "stop right before the crack and/or strip" S.

You mean "wait until you hear the crack or strip, then stop just before
then."

You, Bill, more than anybody I know, should spend the money on a torque
wrench.

miles

miles todd said:

You, Bill, more than anybody I know, should spend the money on a
torque wrench.

As anyone with a respectably addictive personality will attest, if tight is
good, then tighter is better.

(Wait till I tell you how hard it was just replacing my cleats today! And
they weren't even allen (?) bolts!)

Bill "Crack! Oh, [censored]" S.

sounds like its the stem not the headset. i dont know what kind of steerer
you have but you can try some sand paper on the steerer and maybe sand the
inside of the stem, maybe use some kind of anti slip material also.
sometimes if you put in a new headset it will settle slightly and when you
adjust it aafter several rides it will be fine.
"Dean A. Stepper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:9X9_c.72080$yh.30481@fed1read05...

Quoted message said:

Felt like my headset was loose and on checking...it was. Question is how
tight? I went hand tight last time and it loosened up after 6-7 months.
Is a Chris King headset.