I ride a '83 Schwinn Super Le Tour with a threaded headset. I was wondering how "stiff" or tight it is good to have it? Or asking the question another way Canit it be too tight?
Thanks!

All bearing assemblies should be adjusted as smooth as possible with no play, it should be no tighter than whats required to remove the play from the headset, (you can test for play by holding your front brake and rocking your bike back and forth)

Yes it can be too tight . When you adjust the headset , pickup the front end of the bike ,let the handlebars & fork turn ,if for any stopping thou the range then it too tight . if it too lose you 'll feel a knotting when you use the brakes .

Here's my definitive test for headset adjustment.

1- tight enough so that there's no detectable play by sight, sound and feel when the bike is rocked forward and back with the front brake on. Also it must bounce silently when the front wheel is bounced on the ground.

2- loose enough that the bike can steer smoothly when the bike is walked holding it by the saddle. If I need to tweak the bike to steer it's too tight.

Anywhere between those two is a pass, but if there's range, I err toward, but not to the loose end.

Thanks. I think I need to lossen it up just a tad.