Bicycle Mechanics - Slight play in fork with threadless headset

I have a threadless headset on m Cannondale SR500. The screw is very tight but there is still a very small amount of play in the chain. How can I fix this?

I have a threadless headset on m Cannondale SR500. The screw is very tight but there is still a very small amount of play in the chain. How can I fix this?

You ment to say play in the fork - right?

Don't ride on it that way or you might ruin your frame.

The first thing to do is to loosen the bolts that clamp your stem to your fork's steerer tube. Then adjust the bearing preload with the top cap bolt and retighten the stem bolts. The stem is what actually holds the headset in adjustment.

If that doesn't work, remove your top cap and make sure that you have a couple of millimeters clearance between the top of your steerer tube and the top of your stem. If you don't, stick a 2mm spacer either over or under the stem and that'll fix it.

Thanks for the quick reply.

Gesh! I am not sure where I got chain. I meant fork of course. The play is in the fork.

Where do I find "the bolts that clamp your stem to your fork's steerer tube"? I'm going to look now but just in case you are out, I thought I would post this now.

I think I may have just solved my own problem. I loosened the headset and retightened. I'll bet what I did last time was to tighten the stem clamp before I tightened the headset screw.:rolleyes:

I would still be interested in where those other bolts are that you mentioned.

Thanks for your help!

I think I may have just solved my own problem. I loosened the headset and retightened. I'll bet what I did last time was to tighten the stem clamp before I tightened the headset screw.:rolleyes:

I would still be interested in where those other bolts are that you mentioned.

Thanks for your help!
The bolts RG was referring to are those that tighten the stem to the steerer. They (or it, sometimes there is only one) are located at the back of the stem right behind the steerer. Apparently you found them.

What you did, tightening the stem to the steerer before adjusting the top cap bolt, is a very common mistake. I think we get this question about once a week.

The bolts RG was referring to are those that tighten the stem to the steerer. They (or it, sometimes there is only one) are located at the back of the stem right behind the steerer. Apparently you found them.

What you did, tightening the stem to the steerer before adjusting the top cap bolt, is a very common mistake. I think we get this question about once a week.

All I found was the one screw that goes right down the center of the headset looking down from the top, as in when I am straddling the bike. Do I need to take the handlebars and spacers off to see this other screw? Is it in there somewhere?

I figured this is a common mistake. Maybe there should be a mechanics FAQ?

Take a look at this site. Full instructions complete with photos:

http://www.parktool.com/repair/byregion.asp?catid=10&imageField2.x=34&imageField2.y=9

Bob