Loose headstem



D

DaveB

Guest
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.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~dbuerckner/bikestuff/headstem.jpg

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
 
Yes, Its a direct result of your 'bikeshed' being far too clean!!! :D

seriously tho, In my (meagre bike-mech) knowledge i 'usually' just do up the top one just enough so that it doesnt tighten up the steering
 
what about some of that white-type tape to give sit grip?

PS i have decided you shall tow me around tomorrow, so eat well tonight to punch a nice big hole in the air for me, OK?

Where is Gags when you need him???
 
"DaveB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> 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.
>
> http://members.optusnet.com.au/~dbuerckner/bikestuff/headstem.jpg
>
> 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
 
flyingdutch wrote:
>
> PS i have decided you shall tow me around tomorrow, so eat well tonight


I don't need an excuse to eat well. Are you sure you want me towing you
around? Wouldn't you rather ride with the pack, than off the back of it.

DaveB "sigh, preparing to be dropped early"
 
Looks just like the headset on my old Shogun Metro. Pain in the ****!
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 protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> 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.
>
> http://members.optusnet.com.au/~dbuerckner/bikestuff/headstem.jpg
>
> 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