dia tech heat set installed in a messy workspace

[DIAMONDHACK]

Just put some shox on my bike. The head set is a dia tech.

Got it all together and it seems fine but there was a spacer left over, I think. Does this spacer come from this head set? Or could it have come from a cluttered messy work bench?

If it is part of the head set (I think it is), I am not sure where it goes.

Any ideas?

 

[DIAMONDHACK]

Looking at the spacer, I realise it is a threaded fork spacer that has been filed down to fit threadless. I am sure it did come off this diatech set when I removed it from the bike it was on before, however I doubt it was meant to be there. Will just leave it out for now.

 

[Charlieboy28]

if i was you i would get a spacer or two to fit between the locking nut thing on the headset and the bottom of the stem as you are relying on quite a small bolt to keep compression on the headset. these older headsets had these but then they realised they were pretty unnecessary with spacers and the correct set up

with a spacer in there (your spacers should raise the top of the stem a few mil above the steerer)you can use the cap bolt for the necessary compression ( dont overtighten) then tighten the stem bolts to keep everything in place, you are then using much sturdier clamping componants than that flimsy locking nut spacer thing.

seems the filed threaded headset spacer was just used as a conventional threadless spacer for a different length steerer

you will find your headset is gonna develop play and i would not ride it set up like you have it, but thats just my opinion

have a look here

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-hel ... -standards

and here

http://sheldonbrown.com/headsets.html

 

[jimo746]

I think you're right, that does look like a headset spacer that's had the little notch filed off so it will fit on a threadless steerer.

I'd fill the gap between the top of that lock-ring and the bottom of the stem with spacers, then when you tighten up the bolt in the top of the stem it can compress all the spacers and headset cups into place and keep them secure.
I assume you have a star-fangled nut inside the steerer tube already?

 

[jimo746]

Is the fork steerer tube threaded? and is that headset for a threaded steerer? as it looks like you're using a stem for an unthreaded "Aheadset" style steerer :?

 

[DIAMONDHACK]

Thanks guys, you are right about needing spacers, however there is no star nut with this system. That lock ring has a tapered flange that crimps the headset down. The star nut was a plastic fake, which I assume I can replace with a real one at some stage. The spacers will allow the stem to act as a clamp too.




My error was pretty silly. I removed the head set and fork from a 19 inch frame and put it on a 18 inch. That is where the extra inch of gap comes from. OOPS.

 

[jimo746]

Or you could simply cut the steerer tube down to your required size.

 

[Charlieboy28]

if getting a star fangled nut fitted is a faff and involves your lbs check out headlocks, ameoba , azonic and gusset all do them.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Cycling-/7294 ... w=headlock

or something like a hope head doctor or equivalent. they are only for the initial compression until the clamping bolts are secured

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=h ... &_from=R40

 

[DIAMONDHACK]

All sorted for now (will find another spacer), I will just leave the head tube open for now, might plug the base, then I can fill it with sherbet.