Notchy Headset Issue

[Mr Weirdo]

Hello

I took my bicycle to a reputable bicycle shop today and asked them to reinstall my Campag headset circ 1987 and its bearings. Now I admit I am not a knowledgeable or experienced cyclist. But when I got home and rotated the front forks they felt very notchy.

Surely after they had completed the job at the shop they would of noticed this to?

Admittedly I was the one who supplied the original bearings to put back in and I am assuming it is the bearings that are the issue?

Should I take it back to the shop and ask them to put new bearings in and I will pay for those parts but not the additional labour costs or is it my fault?

Many thanks

 

[Mod-Master]

Hello

I took my bicycle to a reputable bicycle shop today and asked them to reinstall my Campag headset circ 1987 and its bearings. Now I admit I am not a knowledgeable or experienced cyclist. But when I got home and rotated the front forks they felt very notchy.

Surely after they had completed the job at the shop they would of noticed this to?

Admittedly I was the one who supplied the original bearings to put back in and I am assuming it is the bearings that are the issue?

Should I take it back to the shop and ask them to put new bearings in and I will pay for those parts but not the additional labour costs or is it my fault?

Many thanks

Just undo the headset nut race about 1/2 of a turn. Usually they feel notchy when tightened too much but I may be wrong.

 

[Mr Weirdo]

Thanks I will have a go.

 

[Mod-Master]

Usually when it’s the bearings they’ll just feel rough not notchy.

When you turn the forks a bit do they snap back to the front facing?

 

[novocaine]

Be amazed if most kids working as mechanics in bike stores as a weekend job would know how to preload and set a quill headset these days. It's most likely that it's been tightened and that's it.
By all means take it back, but don't expect much difference.

Reelase the lock nut, undo the top race a 1/4 turn then wiggle the fork to check for play, turn left and right and check notch. If its notchu, repeat until its not. Crucial at this point to make sure your forks aren't moving when you wiggle them. It's a balance of the tonight tension and the minimum wiggle. Once you're happy, tighten the locknut.

 

[Mr Weirdo]

Just tried what you suggested. Still the same unfortunately. It feels like when you turn the forks you can feel a notch and then another one, etc.

 

[novocaine]

Just tried what you suggested. Still the same unfortunately. It feels like when you turn the forks you can feel a notch and then another one, etc.

That's the bearings rolling over. Did they put any grease in it?

 

[Mr Weirdo]

Be amazed if most kids working as mechanics in bike stores as a weekend job would know how to preload and set a quill headset these days. It's most likely that it's been tightened and that's it.
By all means take it back, but don't expect much difference.

Reelase the lock nut, undo the top race a 1/4 turn then wiggle the fork to check for play, turn left and right and check notch. If its notchu, repeat until its not. Crucial at this point to make sure your forks aren't moving when you wiggle them. It's a balance of the tonight tension and the minimum wiggle. Once you're happy, tighten the locknut.

Thank you will give this a go.

 

[Mod-Master]

Just tried what you suggested. Still the same unfortunately. It feels like when you turn the forks you can feel a notch and then another one, etc.

As above, check inside or undo a bit more

 

[Mr Weirdo]

That's the bearings rolling over. Did they put any grease in it?

Now I wondered that but surely you can't forget to grease them? Can you?