I have bars that are 31.8, and I want threadless cause I have more stem choices. Also, when I replace the fork It'd best be a non-threaded fork cause there are more to choose from and require no modification. It's possible to use 31.8 bars with threaded headsets but I feel like in the long term I'm going to want a threadless headset.

Steerer is about 8.625"

So you're saying that I don't need to use spacers to carry the preload pressure, and I would use my top threaded headset nut (the small one) to preload it? Wouldn't the mean the top nut would rub against my top race? would I leave the part out that covers the bearing?

On the left is my campy veloce (shot) headset.
in the middle is the chris king. what am I using? do I still need to use a starnut? am I stuck with mounting the stem flush with the preload "top nut?"