[S.n.a.k.e.]

My stem/handlebar have been creaking a bit lately. I overtightened and stripped out the bottom bolt in my cheezy 3 bolt Kore stem. Got to order one tonight... mmm Thompson

With the stem off, wheel on the ground (bike in stand, so not a lot of weight on front wheel, enough to hold fork up into bottom cup) is it normal to have play in the steerer?

I can grasp the arch, and get maybe 1mm of play front to back, none side to side.

Is this normal? Bad Headset? Ovalized HT, or am I just stupid/paranoid.

Thanks for any/all answers..

Marc

 

[BigMike]

The stem is what puts pressure on the Headset and keeps everything together. If you dont have your stem on there, yes, there will be movement in the headset. If you lift your bike up the fork should just come out. If one of your headset cups comes out easily, THAT is when you need to start worrying about an ovalized headtube.

So in short, no, it is not unusual for there to be play in the headset with no stem.


My useful post for the day

 

[SpuTTer916]

Once you have your stem back on and you tighten it to spec, then check for play. You should be able to remove the play by loosening the stem and tightening the headset bolt on top. Go in small increments until it tightens up.

Like above post says, you cant really check for anythin without a stem, thats what keeps the fork on...

 

[spincrazy]

When you get your stem back on and all's tight and there's still play, check that the crown race is properly seated and not moving.

 

[S.n.a.k.e.]

Originally posted by BigMike
The stem is what puts pressure on the Headset and keeps everything together. If you dont have your stem on there, yes, there will be movement in the headset. If you lift your bike up the fork should just come out. If one of your headset cups comes out easily, THAT is when you need to start worrying about an ovalized headtube.

So in short, no, it is not unusual for there to be play in the headset with no stem.


My useful post for the day

Cool, I thought that, but wasn't sure, thanks Mike, you're not only a LD god, but a fount of biking stuff too...

Originally posted by SpuTTer916
Once you have your stem back on and you tighten it to spec, then check for play. You should be able to remove the play by loosening the stem and tightening the headset bolt on top. Go in small increments until it tightens up.

Like above post says, you cant really check for anythin without a stem, thats what keeps the fork on...

The top cap pulls up on the star nut, correct? At some point wouldn't you just start dragging the star nut up in the steer tube?
and wouldnt you have to have the clamp bolts loose to allow that 'pull up' to occur?

Me :heart: the

Thanks,

Marc

 

[Echo]

Originally posted by S.n.a.k.e.
At some point wouldn't you just start dragging the star nut up in the steer tube?

You would strip the bolt or ruin the star nut before you would pull it up in the steerer...

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Originally posted by S.n.a.k.e.
Cool, I thought that, but wasn't sure, thanks Mike, you're not only a LD god, but a fount of biking stuff too...



The top cap pulls up on the star nut, correct? At some point wouldn't you just start dragging the star nut up in the steer tube?
and wouldnt you have to have the clamp bolts loose to allow that 'pull up' to occur?

Me :heart: the

Thanks,

Marc

No, the starnut shouldn't move.

 

[S.n.a.k.e.]

Originally posted by Echo
You would strip the bolt or ruin the star nut before you would pull it up in the steerer...

Never having installed a star nut, I don't know jack about how much force it takes to install/uninstall.

Thanks,

Marc

 

[BigMike]

Originally posted by S.n.a.k.e.
Cool, I thought that, but wasn't sure, thanks Mike, you're not only a LD god, but a fount of biking stuff too...

I'm impressed someone remembered

I actually have a design next semester

 

[S.n.a.k.e.]

Originally posted by BigMike
I'm impressed someone remembered

I actually have a design next semester

Remembered? the LD or bike portion of the comment?

I always remember production people that are bikers too.

[useless roadie info] If you ever have the opportunity to see Eddie Money's gear, you will see a road case that has two QR fork holders bolted to the top. One of his engineers, and his guitar player ride bikes, and sometimes they tour with them. [/useless roadie info]

I look forward to some plot postings....

Regards,

Marc

 

[jdcamb]

Originally posted by S.n.a.k.e.

[useless roadie info] If you ever have the opportunity to see Eddie Money's gear, you will see a road case that has two QR fork holders bolted to the top. One of his engineers, and his guitar player ride bikes, and sometimes they tour with them. [/useless roadie info]

Wow this is freaky. I think your talking about Brad and Jeff from Avalon Productions. I believe they do work for Eddie Money sometimes, but for the most part work freelance around NY/NJ. Small world if your talking about them. They are coming here for our Jazz Fest soon.....jdcamb

 

[BigMike]

Originally posted by S.n.a.k.e.
Remembered? the LD or bike portion of the comment?

I always remember production people that are bikers too.

[useless roadie info] If you ever have the opportunity to see Eddie Money's gear, you will see a road case that has two QR fork holders bolted to the top. One of his engineers, and his guitar player ride bikes, and sometimes they tour with them. [/useless roadie info]

I look forward to some plot postings....

Regards,

Marc

Thats frikkin awseome!

[useless rodie info] If you ever have John Mayer come through, he tours with two HUGE roadboxes. They are about 6' tall, 3' wide, and maybe 8' long. They look like wardrobe boxes, and coming off the truck, they go to wardrobe. What is really inside those boxes, is two 32"ish flatscreen TVs, two Playstations, two Xboxes, two Gamecubes, and the most games I have EVER seen in my life! [/useless roadie info]

 

[S.n.a.k.e.]

Originally posted by jdcamb
Wow this is freaky. I think your talking about Brad and Jeff from Avalon Productions. I believe they do work for Eddie Money sometimes, but for the most part work freelance around NY/NJ. Small world if your talking about them. They are coming here for our Jazz Fest soon.....jdcamb

Not sure if it's the same guys Jim, but Eddies FOH guy is named Jeff. I thought he was from Cali, but I've learned that nothing is unusual in the music business, its just a matter of degrees...

I gotta get back up to Roch-cha-cha to ride with youz again.

Take care,
Marc