Classic & Vintage - strange steerer tube and stuck stem

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kbjack
04-23-08, 12:02 AM
Maybe more of a mechanics question, but it's a vintage project, so I thought I'd post here first:

I was overhauling the headset on my Raleigh (1973 pro track), and started, obviously, by removing the stem, which only came out with some pretty vigorous coaxing (though the expander bolt was definitely loose). After I had finished the overhaul I had a heck of a time getting the stem back into the steerer tube. I was fighting with it for awhile and ended up loosening the locknut on the headset, after which the stem fit without a problem.

My question is: what is happening to the steerer tube that it's preventing the stem from going it when under pressure from the locknut? Is this normal? I had to finish tightening the locknut with the stem installed, which I haven't had to do on any other job like this. There is some slight wear where a keyed washer rubbed at the threads, but this doesn't seem to be enough to create the problem. Any ideas?

Torchy McFlux
04-23-08, 04:35 AM
Does the headset locknut have tapered threads like a pneumatic fitting?
Never heard of this before. Very strange.
nlerner
04-23-08, 05:52 AM
Sounds like an issue with the locknut, not the steerer tube. That's the kind of locknut used for stems that don't have pinch bolts. Would that have been what was originally fitted on this bike?

Neal

kbjack
04-23-08, 07:51 AM
Sounds like an issue with the locknut, not the steerer tube. That's the kind of locknut used for stems that don't have pinch bolts. Would that have been what was originally fitted on this bike?

Neal

That makes sense--I'd never heard of this kind of locknut until now.

I'm not sure what the original stem was. I based the build off of this information: http://www.firstflightbikes.com/RaleighTrack.htm

The stem I'm using is a newer cinelli track stem. The headset is campy (record?...it's original on the bike).
Hmm, so is it much of a problem to combine this stem with this locknut/headset? (I'm going to assume not, because it makes it easier for me to toe my own particular line.)

Thanks for the help!