Adjusting loose headset on a Raleigh Lil Honey 16" youth bike
05-21-13, 08:07 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Adjusting loose headset on a Raleigh Lil Honey 16" youth bike
Hi everyone,
As the title states, I just bought a 2011 Raleigh Lil Honey 16" bike for my daughter and upon taking it home I noticed that it has around 1/4" of play in the headset. The headset has a traditional top nut with a knurled bottom nut. Is it as simple as loosening the top nut and tightening down the knurled nut, then re-tightening the top nut??? From everything I have been reading on here, that seems to be the case. I have included a picture of the exact bike she has.
Taking it one step further, do I need to be aware that the bike could have sustained any headset/bearing damage based on having this play for any period of time? Thank you for your time!
As the title states, I just bought a 2011 Raleigh Lil Honey 16" bike for my daughter and upon taking it home I noticed that it has around 1/4" of play in the headset. The headset has a traditional top nut with a knurled bottom nut. Is it as simple as loosening the top nut and tightening down the knurled nut, then re-tightening the top nut??? From everything I have been reading on here, that seems to be the case. I have included a picture of the exact bike she has.
Taking it one step further, do I need to be aware that the bike could have sustained any headset/bearing damage based on having this play for any period of time? Thank you for your time!
Last edited by AKArider; 05-21-13 at 08:07 AM. Reason: duplicate picture
05-21-13, 10:41 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
It's a conventional threaded headset so, yes, adjusting it requires loosening the top locknut (if it isn't already loose), turning the top race down until the play just disappears and holding the top race stationary while you tighten the lock nut. checking for the condition and cleanliness of the grease is worthwhile if you can get into the internals.
After you get it adjusted, turn the bars both ways to see if they turn smoothly and with no catching or notches. If they turn smoothly, the headset is ok. If turning them is rough or erratic, a new headset is indicated or a stopgap is to remove any ball retainers and replace all of the bearing balls with new ones including extras to assure the races are full and well greased.
After you get it adjusted, turn the bars both ways to see if they turn smoothly and with no catching or notches. If they turn smoothly, the headset is ok. If turning them is rough or erratic, a new headset is indicated or a stopgap is to remove any ball retainers and replace all of the bearing balls with new ones including extras to assure the races are full and well greased.
05-21-13, 09:40 PM
#4
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well that was easy! I could literally unscrew the top locknut with my fingers! (I'm sure some of might have guess that) I tightened down the top race, tightened down the top locknut and the play is gone! Solid as a rock and everything is smooth as butta! Thanks again HillRider!
