Headset adjustment

[Pale Rider]

I would like to tighten the headset on my bike.

There's no play, but I would prefer a bit of friction/resistance, to prevent the wheel flopping over onto full lock every time I put the bike on the prop stand.

Headsets are a mystery to me.

The one on the bike appears to be tapered, with a top cap and allen bolt.

If I loosen the four allen bots clamped to the steerer, and turn the cap bolt clockwise a couple of times, will that do what I seek?

Presumably, it doesn't want to be too tight as too much sideload on the bearing will promote faster wear.

The headset is branded Cros, which may be German as it's a German bike.

 

[palinurus]

If I loosen the four allen bots clamped to the steerer, and turn the cap bolt clockwise a couple of times, will that do what I seek?

Yes, you probably won't need to turn it much. In this case presumably you would also need to slacken off the bolts on the front rack too? (never seen one like that, if I was doing it I'd slacken those off too, hopefully someone else will confirm)

 

[Crackle]

A couple of turns is quite a lot but unless there's any play or knocking when you rock it on the brakes, then you don't need to adjust it. it's a heavy front end, so even tightening the headset probably won't stop the front turning when it's on the stand.

And that bike still ranks as one of the most amazing bikes I've ever seen in the flesh.

 

[derrick]

If there is no play leave it alone.

 

[Smokin Joe]

If there is no play leave it alone.

Wot 'e said.

Do NOT have the headset binding to the point of being stiff, not only will it cause premature wear but it can be quite dangerous. Just hold the bars when you are propping the bike on it's stand.

 

[Pale Rider]

Thanks for the replies.

As there's no play, 'leave it alone' is probably the best advice, given how even the simplest tasks can go badly wrong when the spanners are being wielded by someone who doesn't know what they are doing.

And Cracks may be right, the front end is heavy so what I seek may not be possible without making the bike unridable.

Oh well, worth an ask, and at least I now know what to do if I do get some play in it.

 

[derrick]

You could try one of these. https://www.dutchbikebits.com/hebie-steering-damper

 

[sight-pin]

I've seen this type of problem somewhere else on the net, they fixed with something like a spring attached to the down tube connecting to a small plate attached to the hole in the forks where the rim brake fits. Can't find now though, may of been home made?

 

[Crackle]

I've also seen people fit a separate kick stand to the front fork.

 

[Pale Rider]

You could try one of these. https://www.dutchbikebits.com/hebie-steering-damper

That does what I'm after.

Could be a few fitting problems to a bike with a modern sus fork and large, rectangular section down tube.

 

[sight-pin]

You could try one of these. https://www.dutchbikebits.com/hebie-steering-damper

That's it! Didn't read this ^ before i posted