Bicycle Mechanics - installed rigid forks on old frame but there's "play" (newbie)

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forestnights
06-27-06, 10:43 AM
hi all, I'm a newbie when it comes to biking so please bear with me.

I have an old GT frame and some spare parts from an old specialized rockhopper. I have tried installing the old rigid forks to the frame and have used the old headset stuff from the GT. (tioga headset). I followed a diagram from here ; http://www.webmountainbike.com/headset1.html . When it went on about Crowns etc I didn't really understand it and basically just put it together using common sense...but I think I have definitely messed up somewhere as there is a good bit of play in the fork/headset as when i force the front brake on and move forward it is definitely noticible. The steering seems OK as when i move the forks left and right is is fairly smooth...

heres a pic;

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j316/naebother/head.gif

Anyone know of how I can fix this "play" problem?

tonyt
06-27-06, 10:51 AM
Are the headset and fork both "1" inch?
There is also a recent post concerning variations in "1" inch headsets.

See:http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=206322
MtbVA
06-27-06, 10:52 AM
Did you tighten the top bolt first? then the side bolts?

forestnights
06-27-06, 11:10 AM
The fork is 1 1/8" and the aheadset is the same. both circa 1997/98. Also yes I did tighten the top bolt into the steerer first and then did the side ones on the stem.
bidaci
06-27-06, 11:21 AM
Did you use the crown race from the old GT frok and out it on the rigid? There could be a difference in the race that will not allow the bottom bearing to set properly. Have you tried loosening the stem bolts and tightening the cap bolt. You may not have had the assembly tight enough on your first attempt and things kinda settled in. Grab the front brake and slowly adjust the cap bolt until you don't feel the play. Don't just crank down on the bolt to take upplaythough as the fork must be able to rotate easily. Also Park Tools website has some good info on this. http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=65

EDIT: Looking more closely you may have the compression ring on upside down. Look athe the picture here http://store1.yimg.com/I/webmountainbike_1901_14885634
The part in question is the piece that is below the bottom silver spacer. If this is the compression ring and it is on wrong it may not allow the bearings to stay tight