ahilito

Hello, I've got an issue with a headset on this racer which I've got for my daughter (1st attachment). We left it hanging in my landlord's garage for a year because it was too big for her and somewhere along the line someone has clearly had a go at it because upon taking it back down the lower and upper headtube race are clearly missing as well as the ball-bearings. I'm writing with 2 questions.

1. Is this attached photo from the Sheldon Brown website the right thing to be going off for all the parts I will need?
2. As it stands the headset seems to be wedged into the fork even though the long bolt running through the stem for the handlebars is loose. That seems odd to me, but I'm also not 100% sure how to get it out, I'm a bit worried that it's already beyond repair, or that I push it too far.

cbrstar

I would just buy another headset like the one in your picture instead of trying to piece one together. That way you know everything fits nice. At the bottom of the stem there is a wedge that the bolt screws into. Screw the bolt back into it but not all the way so some of the bolt sticks up and then give the bolt a gentle tap with the hammer to knock the wedge loose. Once that is loose and you have put some penetrating oil down the fork/stem. You are going to twist the handle bars to break them free. I usually hold the front wheel between my knees as I twist but there is probably better methods.

Iride01 

Yes, it appears someone filched your upper and lower headsets. Unless you are a compulsive DIY'er and have to absolutely do it yourself, then I'd say take it to a local bike shop and let them deal with it.

If you've never done it before, then getting the correct size parts can be more daunting a task than putting them on and adjusting.

Looks like the front brake adjuster screw is broken too. The bike shop will likely fix that for you too at a very nominal charge if you have them do the headset, as they probably have adjuster screws in the spare parts bins.

veganbikes

Yeah I would do a new headset and let your local shop do it.

You have a really cool bike! Don't skimp out and get it done right.

dedhed

This is a relatively easy DIY project that not a lot of special tools are required... but you need to understand certain concepts and measurements.
Familiarize yourself with "stack height", JIS and ISO headset measurements including crown race.

Installing the cups can normally be accomplished with threaded rod and washers if one is reasonably careful. That likely needs a fairly short stack height headset and a good value for the money is a Tange Levin which comes in both JIS & ISO and crown races can be mixed & Matched. A low cost Harbor freight digital caliper will go a long way toward determining what headset cups and crown race are needed (ISO/JIS).

The stem looks mostly out already just needs the bolt tapped down to release the wedge.

FWIW the front brake adjust looks fine just spun upside down, but it looks like the brake spring is popped out of where it belongs.


https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...dset-standards
https://velo-orange.blogspot.com/201...ack-em-up.html
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...eadset-service
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...on-quill-stems

ahilito

Thanks for all the responses. I was pretty set on taking it to the bike shop, normally not my preference. But now dedhed's got me considering having a crack at it.

Thank you all

dedhed

Unca_Sam

Why steal a headset, and not the bike? I mean, there's a story there, because knocking out the cups requires preparation, not to mention removing the fork. And then to put the fork back on, along with the locknut?

It's like a cat burglar for headsets.

Rant over: +1 to the advice to just replace it. With a bike part cat burglar around, though, you should do a thorough check all over.

reconnaissance

On close inspection, the brake adjustment barrel is there, just doing what they do when the cable is missing—flopped upside down. be careful not to lose it if it falls out.