Headset

Cogsy1976

Hi All
I recently bought an Orange Patriot that had a new headset fitted, I also replace the forks myself but am unsure of whether I have put all back together correctly, the reason being is that the steering moves really really easily, ie. when off the bike the steering will move to the sides really easily if off the bike, compared to my Specialized.

Now when I put back together there was at the bottom of the headset, like a cartridge which slots inside the bottom of the headset which I assume is the bearings :?: do these need to be greased? it does look like its a sealed unit, for info the headset is a VP comp the forks do come away really easily if I undo the start nut at the top so just wondering whether I have dones something wrong whilst putting back together!

cooldad

If they don't waggle sounds fine. Steering should move easily.

1mancity2

The cartridge is bearings they should have a seal on the top/bottom you can take off with a stanley knife to clean/grease the bearings be careful.

when you say move to the side do you mean movement i.e play in the headset when its tight?

Have the forks got the crown race fitted? (like a concaved washer)

Headset comprises of from bottom to top, crown race, bearings, bottom cup, top cup, bearings, headset top then you add spacers (if using) and stem then topcap which you preload the bearings with.

Cogsy1976

Hi no doesnt waggle just moves too easily side to side, the forks were taken off another bike so assume the crown race is fitted will have to double check though

Cogsy1976

Sorry just to clarify no movement in the headset!

Chunkers1980

If you've just taken the forks from another bike and not swapped the crown race it quite likely it does not fit properly as they are headset specific (so you either need to swap the headset or the crown race so they match)

Cogsy1976

Thats it then I was pretty sure something was missing and having googled a Crown race I now see what it is!
Cheers

1mancity2