MadCat

I just took off my for to be greased the other day and since I pit it back on, it's had a tendency to want to keep me riding in a perfectly straight line. Turning is a little bit stiff. Is this because my bearings are toast? I'm going to full off the neck and from again and see if i can find teh problem but I thought I'd ask here.
Thanks

MichaelW

Did use use new ball bearings. The old ones were compressed during use, and if you disturn their alignment, the steering may be a bit rough. You may be able to realign them by removing all the cables , loostening the headset and spinning the forks around a few times. Better still, replace them with good quality (ie grade 25) bearings.

Hunter

If it was working fine before you pulled the fork I don't think the bearings are compressed. It sounds like you over tightened the headset a little too much. Just loosen the headset connection and get it hand tight if it is a threaded and if threadless then turn the screw on the top cap until you get resistence. Now turn the handlebars to the side where the wheel is pointing acorss the frame and act like you are pulling the bars off the stem. Do this back and forth. Does it wobble? If so continue to tighten until this does not happen. Then rotate the bars is the fork stiff? If so check the way the bearings are seated in the races. With threadless typically the lower set is facing up the top set is facing down. Same goes for threaded. If this is not so then correct it. Did this fix it? If not consult your LBS.

MadCat

Ahh yes.. it was my fork that was on there too tight. Now I just have to dislodge my seat post from my frame of better yet, use it as an excuse to buy we a nice new aluminum frame. Wee shall see.
Thanks again for the help.

Hunter

Kitty, If you are having problems getting a seat post out, put the frame in a stand upside down remove the bb and squirt some Tri Flow up the seat tube and wait it will come out. You can grease a seat post to prevent it from seizing up in a steel frame.

RainmanP

Sorry, Dude, the only thing I know about fork problems is that mine makes too many trips to my mouth. :-)

fubar5

I'm not sure, but you may have tightened the headset to much, I've done that before and had the problem you are describing.

pat5319

If the triflow trick doesn't work try penetrating oil.

You could also try heating the seat tube by pouring boiling water on it or using a hair-dry gun on it to expand the tube.

After you get it it out grease both the tube and the post liberally, so you don't have to fight with it next time