Classic & Vintage - adjusting dura ace 7400 headset

I think I set the crown race and lower and upper cups correctly, they all look square to my eye. The headset has the ball retainers plus an upper and lower "o-ring". And 2 spacers (one is inset w/ the upper adjustable cup) and a locknut of course. I have both ball retainers oriented correctly. When I attempt to adjust the headset, it binds up as I tighten it, but also is too loose when I check fore/aft / side to side play. I'm pretty sure the frame is milled square. What is up, is it an O-ring thing? Should I give up and let the LBS check it out?

You either have one of the bearings flipped or the o-ring seals are installed wrong.

Install the two seals first, one the fork crown and the other on the upper frame cup (actually a race), they can be tricky, use a dab of grease to hold them in place. Place the lower bearing onto the fork with the 'open' side down. The upper bearing is placed 'open' side down as well.

Yes I made sure both ball rings were open side down, but I wasn't sure about the o-rings.

How'd it go?

How'd what go? I'm probably going to get the LBS to set the headset right, and hopefully I can do the rest of the build. Then I will post up how it went!

When you say "O" ring your talking about the dust seals for the upper and lower race/cone yes? It has been awhile since I fooled with one but I think they sort of snap onto the races before you put the bearings in.

When you say "O" ring your talking about the dust seals for the upper and lower race/cone yes? It has been awhile since I fooled with one but I think they sort of snap onto the races before you put the bearings in.

+1. the seals are channeled, the channel side faces down

^ That was it! Thanks!