Bicycle Mechanics - King headset adjustment problem

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availpunk9
06-19-09, 08:12 PM
I have a 1 1/8 Chris King no thread set. I can't get the play out of it.

Here's the scenario. I adjust the headset until there's no play. As soon as I start applying torque to the stem bolts, play develops. The stem is a Ritchey WCS with two steerer clamping bolts, apposing each other. I tried first tightening the bottom bolt, then the top, and vise versa. Even a bit of force on one bolt, just where it begins to pinch the steerer, play develops. I can see the top rocking a bit.

I have the same headset on my commuter. I can get it adjusted first time around and it stays put. I'm at a loss. Please enlighten me:thumb:

DannoXYZ
06-19-09, 08:35 PM
Is the steerer tube straight and smooth? Stem clamp straight?

Are you adjusting the HS with the bike on a stand or on the ground?
roadfix
06-19-09, 08:48 PM
The steerer tube is not too short is it? It should reach well above the upper pinch bolt.

Also make sure no part of the headset is inverted.

HillRider
06-19-09, 09:02 PM
Steerer tube too long? Do you have a 2 or 3 mm gap below the top of the stem clamp or top spacer and the top of the steerer? If there is not enough clearance it will be impossible to adjust the play out.
availpunk9
06-19-09, 09:41 PM
The steerer extends above the stem by about 2-3 mm. I have a 5mm spacer between the stem and the headset and 5mm on top of the stem. The fork is cut with 2-3 mm sticking out above the stem. The headset can't be inverted, the bearings are press fit in there.

I'm going to try a different stem and spacers in the morning. May be one of them is not flat.
Soil_Sampler
06-20-09, 12:50 AM
o-ring in good shape?
availpunk9
06-20-09, 08:00 AM
I should really sleep on things prior to posting them here....

I cut the fork for a Thomson stem and using a Ritchey, ~3mm lower stack height. This created inadequate clearance at the top to compress the headset. I'm not sure how it felt right with not stem bolt pressure. In any case, the first thing I noticed this morning was a slight gap between the top spacer and top cap, cap resting on the steerer. I switched to a cap with lower profile underneath of it. There's no interference with the steerer. Problem solved.