Teach me about headsets !
 

I dont know a whole lot about headsets, but I ought to replace my broken Tange MA-60 before I ride my bike again. It's been wonky since before my crash, and now its teeth wont mesh and it comes loose on its own. I just did a century between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, retightening the part with the grip by hand every half hour while riding.

http://www.velobase.com/ViewComponen...009d0&Enum=111

I just want to learn about their history, mechanics and types. I will probably be trying to replace it with something else vintage but better designed.

Stickies, Sheldon Brown, come back when you have read them with any un-answered questions.

Ball bearing headsets are about as old as bicycles. Their history would fill a book, but the basics haven't changed.

If your Tange headset is like the one pictured, the toothed washer is supposed to be keyed to the fork, and if so, and if the the fork is short enough so it the locknut doesn't bottom out on the steerer it'll keep it's adjustment very well.

I suspect that either your keyway is damaged or filed off, or the fork is too long, or a washer was removed, causing your problems. If all three are corrected, the headset will be fine, and last forever, assuming the races themselves aren't worn, rusty or pitted.

That's all you get for free. If you want more general info, search the net for it.

The first bike recorded did not turn, if I recall it was just something you sat on with 2 wheels and used your legs like you would in an office chair to roll around in. Eventually they took it to the next level and mounted Chris King headsets and SRAM RED components on them and the bike industry was born overnight.

Ok so not exactly historic but pretty close :D Oh I thought this was the Foo forum....