ok so in the process of fixing this thing up i noticed that the front fork is really loose i have cranked the quill bolt and also the nuts on the head set but this thing is still really loose im looking at having to purchase a new headset, does the interclub take a special headset or will any work?/


thanks shane.

Try adjusting the headset rather than just tightening bolts and nuts.

I've had a Gitane. Great bike. French bikes can be very confusing as to part dimensions. I think makers like Gitane have had different sizes for parts depending on where they were expected to be sold. But even then who knows. I wouldn't speculate with anything French, I would use a caliper and do an admiral Hopper and measure for a real answer on a particular bike.

And like Trailangel said, try and clean / service / adjust the one you've got now.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-headsets.html

+1...the frame tubing diameters on most of the French stuff from that era are unique, so it can be troublesome to find a replacement that will work. In addition, a lot of the older French cycles had a different standard for the crown race diameter, so if you can make the old one work, even if you need to shim the head races with some aluminum can stock, you're usually better off. The threading on the fork is different, you need to worry about stack height in a newer one.........all in all, I go to great lengths to make the original work on these.

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...oh yeah, while you're in there, measure and replace the bearings with new ones of the same size. Those little guys don't owe you anything, and if they're loose balls, you'll probably lose some when you take it apart.

the ''quill bolt", as has been implied, has nothing to do with the looseness of the front fork. check out youtube for some videos on adjusting old style headsets.

Yes, France, Home of the Metric system.. so they sized things in even numbers 22.0 vs 22.2 (7/8") and so forth.

new bike techniques of the threadless head sets really dont apply to threaded fork headsets..

I recommend Books on Bike Repair, Check some out from the Library, they don't charge ..
just return it or bring it back for a renewal, on time..






....

i got it fixed i bought a new headset fits perfectly!

thanks for all the help!