Allez fork rebuild

[jaybeex2]

Just signed up so hi to all.
Ive recently bought a Specialized frame and forks, the forks weren't fitted to the frame and hence all i have is:

2 x Bearings with a flat side (with a rubber seal on) and a beveled side
1 x Chrome spacer with a gap in it
2 x 5mm spacer
1 x 10mm spacer
1 x Bell shaped (with a flat top) 25mm deep bearing carrier

No matter what order i put them in they either lock the steering solid or the bars are locked to the forks and spin.
Im wondering if i have a part missing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as im desperate to get out on it.

Regards
John

 

[solidthegreat]

2 x Bearings with a flat side (with a rubber seal on) and a beveled side
1 x Chrome spacer with a gap in it
2 x 5mm spacer
1 x 10mm spacer
1 x Bell shaped (with a flat top) 25mm deep bearing carrier

Starting from the bottom under the head set, where the forks enter the frame, 1 Bearing with bevel facing in (they only fit 1 way)
Slide in fork and hold in place with 1 hand, do not let go or they will fall out.
Next, on the top of the steerer (fork) where it exits the frame put on a bearing, bevel down, again it only fits one way.
Next the silver chrome spacer, slide it right down and push it into the top of the bearing, it should fit flush.
Add the headset cap, bit of a triangle profile that covers the bearing and reduces to the steerer tube.
Next put the spacers on In any order.
Put on your stem and handlebars.
Finish of with the cap and tighten the screw into the top of the steerer tube (top of fork)
There should be a star nut inside that the screw fits Into
Tighten and it should be ok. You can now let go of the forks.
It should turn nicely and not be too stiff but also not rattle.
If it does you may need new bearings.
Another test for bearings is hold the front brake on and rock the bike. If you feel movement in the headset you need to replace the bearings, but check it is tightened enough first before rocking.
Hope this helps.

 

[jaybeex2]

Thank you yes that helps a great deal, the only query I have is when I fit the lower bearing on the forks it doesn't seem to sit flat it rocks a bit like there's a bit that needs to go before the bearing.

Thanks again

 

[solidthegreat]

It should just fit in, is the only other bit is there should be at the very bottom of the fork a ridge of Some sort known as the crown race.
If you look on YouTube there are good videos on there showing you this sort of stuff which helps.

 

[jaybeex2]

Had a you tube session and looks ok now annoying thing now is my fulcrum 7s with 25mm GP4000 tyres rub on the fork underside,yet as new these bikes run 25mm tyres, do the profiles differ that much?

 

[solidthegreat]

It varies from bike to bike. I have an Allez and it really depends on the tyres. I run 25mm tyres in winter and 23s in summer with no problem. I don't think the allez is able to run anything larger. If you want larger I think you need buy a specialized Roubaix which offers more clearance In the forks and stays for larger tyres.