Bridgestones

Here it is so far:

P1000635 by archdestijl, on Flickr

I saw the straight fork at the used bin at my LBS and I really wanted it so I bought it, hoping that I would get lucky and it would match up, and I bought a threaded headset the same day. The threading stops about an inch short So I was wondering if I could buy a thread less headset and use the fork, ignoring the threads and just clamp the stem over top of them. I've never used/installed a thread less headset before and i don't know what i need to buy (spacers? a specific tool for anything?)

Also, I'm posting pictures of the bearing races as they currently sit, do they need to be pushed down further? will i need to take them out to put in the thread less headset? Any and all help/suggestions appreciated.

Pics:

P1000640 by archdestijl, on Flickr

P1000638 by archdestijl, on Flickr

Squirrelli

You could either have your shop chase the thread for you, I don't know about your shop, but my co-op charges $10 per cm because this is a labours task that requires a lot of precision and patient or you could get a new fork.

Consult the Mechanics section of the forum to see if this is a good idea.

FWIW, I asked my co-op the same question about using a threaded fork as threadless and they said it's not a good idea as the stem does not have a smooth surface to grab onto and it could damage the stem and fail. Who knows?

Scrodzilla

I don't think I'd do it but there's a cyclocross dude that frequents the shop who has a threadless stem clamped to a threaded steerer. He puts his bike through quite a beating and it hasn't failed yet.

hairnet

Does he use a threaded headset or no?

Scrodzilla

Threadless with a starnut and top cap - just like a typical threadless setup.

TejanoTrackie 

A traditional threaded headset does not put any bending or shear stress into the threaded portion of the steerer tube, nor does a quill stem
for that matter. However, a threadless stem does cause significant bending and shear in the steerer tube, which is why it is not advisable to use one on a steerer that has been weakened by threading. Not only is the steerer thinner at the threading, but the threads create stress risers at the valleys. This is one of those situations where a sudden failure can occur without warning with dire consequences.

Scrodzilla

Precisely.

Bridgestones

Damn, i hope they let me return it or swap it. What about the bearing race question?

sillygolem

The bearing races look about right: There's generally a tiny noticable gap depending on variations in the paint thickness (well, chrome in this case) around the steerer tube. When you get the rest of the headset on, you'll be pulling the cups, cones, and bearings together when you tighten the top nuts.