The headstem on my single speed is really giving me the sh!ts. It is constantly coming loose. I'm sure the terminology I'm going to use is wrong so here's a picture for reference.
There's a top locknut and a washer and the bottom locknut. The top one is forever coming loose after 10-20 mins of riding. I can tighten it up by hand and it will be good for another 20 mins, but it's really annoying. If I tighten it up with a shifter, it still happens. If I clamp the lower locknut in place and tighten the top one as much as possible, then they both work loose. Have I mentioned this is giving me the sh!ts. Anyone with any ideas???
"DaveB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
The headstem on my single speed is really giving me the sh!ts. It is constantly coming loose. I'm sure the terminology I'm going to use is wrong so here's a picture for reference.
There's a top locknut and a washer and the bottom locknut. The top one is forever coming loose after 10-20 mins of riding. I can tighten it up by hand and it will be good for another 20 mins, but it's really annoying. If I tighten it up with a shifter, it still happens. If I clamp the lower locknut in place and tighten the top one as much as possible, then they both work loose. Have I mentioned this is giving me the sh!ts. Anyone with any ideas???
you need two proper headset spanners. (these things are about a foot long) Do the bottom locknut up just enough to eliminate play in the bearings. then hold the spanner there and do the top one up against it. Tight. If they are done up against each other there is no way they can work loose. If you roll into your LBS at a quiet time they will probably do it up properly for free as it would take about 5secs with the proper tools. I don't know how you are 'clamping' the bottom one but it doesn't sound like a spanner! The only other thing that could be wrong is the steer might be cut a little long. The top cap has a lip, it might be doing up against that rather than the bottom nut. Putting in another washer is one way of fixing that (easier than cutting it down anyway!). If that fails, and the thread onthe top nut is worn, could could get a new one off me, $2 :-) Cheers Gemma
Looks just like the headset on my old Shogun Metro. Pain in the [censored]! Similar thing happened. I am lucky to have a good tool set with headset spanners. Use 'em if you can get 'em. Take the headset apart and check out the bearings. Clean everything up and lube with a good quality lube. I use a product called Locktight. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be any indication of its ability to keep things 'locked tight' but I also recall placing some on the threads with the desired effect.
Using the headset spanners will ensure that you get the required presure on the bearings without having a loose locknut.
Good luck.
-- Bean
Remove "yourfinger" before replying "DaveB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
The headstem on my single speed is really giving me the sh!ts. It is constantly coming loose. I'm sure the terminology I'm going to use is wrong so here's a picture for reference.
There's a top locknut and a washer and the bottom locknut. The top one is forever coming loose after 10-20 mins of riding. I can tighten it up by hand and it will be good for another 20 mins, but it's really annoying. If I tighten it up with a shifter, it still happens. If I clamp the lower locknut in place and tighten the top one as much as possible, then they both work loose. Have I mentioned this is giving me the sh!ts. Anyone with any ideas???
