Lower headset seal dilemma

hiraoyaro

Hi there. I just got a new Manitou Minute Expert fork to replace the old Rockshox Dart 3 fork my 2010 Trek 6000. The headset on my frame, a Cane Creek VPA42e does not have any lower seal that accomodates the new fork. So annoying after I took it to a bike shop to have the crown race transfered. It seemed that the crown on the Dart 3 itself provided the lower seal, but the Manitou fork crown is shaped differently and leaves a lot of open space for dirt and other crap to contaminate the lower headset. The headset it a standard threadless with caged ball bearings. I'm pretty sure I didn't lose any parts.

Anyone have any ideas for sealing this up? Lizard skin headset seal? Make an inner tube seal? New headset? Might not be a bad idea to upgrade to a fully sealed unit.

Manitou fork installed. The bottom of the bearing cage washer is showing. The fork is a little loose because I need to get another stem spacer.


Dark 3 crown. The fork crown probably provided the sealing. It seems perfectly matched to the headset size. Too bad it's a piece of junk


Exploded diagram of my headset
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12762132

cooldad

The fork does not 'seal' the headset.
The crown race is part of the headset and needs to be transferred anytime you change forks.
It's a pretty basic headset. A better one will have better sealing.

The Rookie

No headset has a 'seal' there, most have a plastic splash shield though.