Help required!

[okgo]

As you may know my old forks cracked so because the bike shop in question are taking their time about my waranty claim I thought I would buy some more cheap forks to get me to work etc.

However we couldn't get the headset race/crown race of my old forks before they went to evans, and evans say they cannot get it off either. So when I found one I thought looked the same and put it on the bearing drops down, and doesn't sit properly, which when all tightened up etc results in play in the headset, is this down to the race and the bearing not being compatible?

If so, where can I buy the race that is meant for my headset, its an FSA Orbit zs-3?

Thanks guys, I'm having a nightmare here, just want it fixed, I'm having to ride my GF's bike 11 miles tomorrow

[itsnotarace]

The races are designed for the individual model headset, so no just any old one won't do unfortunately

Which BMC model have you got?

[okgo]

Streetfire ssx 2009

I've been doing some research, and the bearing sayx 36x45 degree contact, so I've foun out that most of the FSA orbit range have these angles, so I've gouth one for the orbit set, it will arrive tomorrow, we'll see.

[itsnotarace]

http://smartbikeparts.com/search_details.php?itm=H...

Mfr pt number: 121-0330

Fits BMC Road Racer, Streetfire, Team Machine, CX01, CX02, SSW and SSX

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?pro...

[okgo]

Thanks,

All I need though is a new crown race, not the whole headset.

[itsnotarace]

Not sure they sell lower races individually for FSA's

[okgo]

They do, its just making sure its got the right contact angles, so we'll see

thanks

[okgo]

Right update..

Got the shop to try again and get my old cown race off, which you would imagine would be a sure fire fit, it did fit better, but the gap between the frame and the top of the fork still looks too big to me...

I tried tightening the top cap right up but I broke the star fangled nut

So I'm at a loss as to why it seems nothing fits on this bike!

[LRdriver II]

can we see a pic of this issue?

And breaking a starnut takes a fair amount of violence too..

[okgo]

show details 21:42 (2 minutes ago)

Yes, the nut is buggered, however I've just put all my weight on the bars and had
Someone tighten the stem and the stack and spacers are very tight. I'll get a new nut tomorrow.

Pic here, bear in mind this is a new fork, but original bearings/crown race

[LRdriver II]

Is the bottom bearing in the correct side down and are the top and bottom bearings the same size? maybe they have been switched. they may have different contact patches and contact angles.

[okgo]

Pretty sure they were, I since found that there is a rubber gasket that needed to go on, that fills most of the gap, I'll have a look at the bearings later, I am pretty sure they are the same, though.

The bike rode fine today.

[itsnotarace]

You do realise that the top bolt and the starnut only adjust the preload on the bearings don't you? If you have put enough force through it to break the starnut the entire headset is likely ruined.

Take it to a bike shop

[okgo]

Why would that have buggered the headset?

The bearings are very tough, starnuts are not, they're cheaply made bits of st.

What is the difference between loading the headset by putting weight on it then tightening stem to having the top cap? Obviously I will be getting another star nut, but it rode fine.

[itsnotarace]

okgo said:

Why would that have buggered the headset?

The bearings are very tough

and the race surfaces and washers are flimsy

okgo said:

What is the difference between loading the headset by putting weight on it then tightening stem to having the top cap?

I don't understand what you mean sorry. You should not have to force the entire assembly together to "close the gap" shown in your picture. It should drop down with no effort whatsoever and fit flush and you then tighten the stem to secure the fork in place.

You broke the starnut by tightening the top cap when you tried to close the gap. The top cap and bolt just adjusts the preload in the headset bearings, it is not designed to pull everything together.

Edited by itsnotarace on Wednesday 26th January 13:21

[okgo]

I see.

I did find it odd about the fork, as it shoudl like you say, just drop in!

I mean, assuming the crown race is the one that came off my original fork.. I wouldn't put it past them to just lie to get me out of the shop.

The one I ordered online has arrived, and again looks different! So I shall try that one, I've got some more star nuts in the post to see how we get on.

Maybe I'm missing a part of the headset then?

I just don't think I am...

Edited by okgo on Wednesday 26th January 13:25