d2create

I got a new set of Spin Doctor bike tools from Santa! And I also bought myself a new frame for my road bike to replace the old one i damaged which happened to get delivered a few days after xmas. So instead of taking the old bike and new frame/fork to the lbs to have them transfer everything, I decided to give it a go and see if I could manage it myself. Well, it took most of the day but I did it! Had to run out for a new brake cable and a new shift cable and I spent a lot of time adjusting the front deraillur, but other than that it was pretty easy. Having the right tools was the key. And last christmas Santa brought me a work stand so with that and the tools I was in bike mechanic heaven.
After i had everything done i had to bike over to the lbs to have them install a star-fangled nut in the new fork so I could attach the headset cap. I didn't have that tool (or a new star-fangled nut) and figured it would be a waste of money to buy a tool to use once. So for $8 they did it for me.

Man, after spending the past two years getting by with whatever standard tools i had laying around, it sure is nice to have the right stuff! Thank you, Santa!

pjbaz

Word.

Congrats on doing it yourself.

PJ

sydney

So how did you manage to ride the bike with no star nut and the headset unadjusted?

Phatman

a car, maybe?

edit:I re-read...It says that he biked over...I thought he said the had the bike over...misread.

d2create

The stem clamps on to the top of the fork tube with two 5mm hex bolts. Which was good because I was able to ride around with different spacer combinations before cutting the fork tube to the correct height. So all the star nut does is let you put the cap on which makes it look pretty.

roadfix

I simply hammer the star nut into the steerer tube using the stem cap bolt provided. Always went in straight & never encountered any problems.

sydney

Well, actually the star nut is there so you can PROPERLY ADJUST the bearing preload in the headset... .... Riding with an improperly adjusted HS,can cause serious damage.I suggest a trip to www.parktool.com and the repair section for the drill on HSs,and their care and feeding,before you damage something or yourself.

Retro Grouch 

sydney's right! If you ride around for a little bit too long with a loose headset, you'll ovalize your frame's headtube and your headset will never work properly after that. The good news is that the fix is a new frame so you'll get the experience of assembling a bike all over again.

DieselDan

Beware! Your friends and family may take advantage of your new found skills, and take away precious riding time!

Raiyn

Ain't it the truth.

d2create

haha!

oh, and ya my mistake. The headset cap does apply pressure to the rest of the headset.
I realized that later. But for the 3 block trip to my lbs, the stem clamp worked just fine.

KleinRider

Congrats on all the new tools and building up your new bike!

I've been working on my "bike shop" for about a year and a half. I'm finally "there" (well, except for possibly a couple odds and ends).

Ain't it fun!