stripped headset locknut

Quoted message said:

The locknut on my headset is stripped. The headset is a cheap generic
part for a threaded road bike fork on a Dawes Giro. What options do I
have? Thanks.

Just about any locknut might do. Ask your local mechanic to sift through
his parts bin. This is an easy fix.

Remove the stem.

Remove the locknut.

Replace the locknut with a new one. Adjust the headset.

Replace the stem.

--
Tom Reingold
Noo Joizy
This email address works, but only for a short time.

Tom Reingold said:

Quoted message said:

The locknut on my headset is stripped. The headset is a cheap generic
part for a threaded road bike fork on a Dawes Giro. What options do I
have? Thanks.

Just about any lock nut might do. Ask your local mechanic to sift through
his parts bin. This is an easy fix.

Remove the stem.

Remove the locknut.

Replace the locknut with a new one. Adjust the headset.

Replace the stem.

Another option is just to not bother doing anything except to regularly
check that the upper race is reasonably well adjusted. It doesn't
unscrew on its own readily and typically has some ways to go before it
gets dangerous. It may depend on how the threads are cut and finished,
i.e. how easy the parts are to turn in them, but I did this for years
because the steerer was too short for the stack height so I couldnt'
screw the locknut down. It rode fine with only rare retightening of the
race. More recently I got rid of the washer between locknut and top
race and this allowed me to tighten the locknut enough. I only tighten
finger tight anyway. I haven't noticed a difference, except the
formerly loose locknut doesn't rattle over bumps any more... Your
mileage may vary. I'm a light rider..

That did it! I did, however, have difficulty getting it all back
together. I had to resort to those bearing assemblies rather than loose
balls. Bummer.