Originally Posted by RainmanP
No, those big nuts are the adjusting nut and lock nut for your older type threaded headset. Now if your headset is loose those may need adjusting, but I would let a shop do that until you get a little more bike mechanical experience. Some shops will do that gratis. Now if the bike is old the headset may need repacking with grease which I would also let at shop do. It doesn't cost but a few bucks.
Thanks. I realigned the stem yesterday with the hex bolt.
I think the headset was probably adjusted and lubed recently, since I got a major once over on most things. so I don't have to worry about that right now.
I'll just need to find the comfort level with dropping into the LBS and what the basic etiquette is for that. I find sometimes that it has a strange combination of an auto mechanic shop with a guitar shop (or hip record store). I guess that's just part of life being a newbie.