Loose headset on Carrera intercity

[avfc1982]

Hi,bought two Carreras yesterday both for £150,good condition and I'm happy with them, apart from slight but noticeable play in headset.it rocks forward and back with front brake on,tried tightening bolt but it's already tight,slight rust in there,any ideas how to fix,would be grateful,thank you.

 

[avfc1982]

Tried tightening this bolt

 

[avfc1982]

Two the same

 

[Sharky]

Did you loosen the clamp bolt, before you tightened the top bolt?

 

[avfc1982]

Handle bar clamp do you mean

 

[Sharky]

Post a side view photo of the stem and head.

 

[avfc1982]

The bolt won't go into the hole.

 

[Sharky]

Pretty sure you have a "quill" stem, not a "ahead" stem. The top nut you were tightening, secured the stem into the fork tube, but had no bearing on the headset bearings.

Once you get the quill stem back into the tube, look at those big nuts at the top of the head. One should tighten the bearings and the higher one should be a lock nut.

 

[Drago]

TBH id be inclined to entrust it to someone that knows what theyre doing, or at least look on YouTube for a guide on adjusting that type of headset.

 

[avfc1982]

Thanks ,I've worked it out,tightened up,but still feels a little ropey,didn't want to over tighten.

 

[Sharky]

Thanks ,I've worked it out,tightened up,but still feels a little ropey,didn't want to over tighten.

Well done.
If you tighten the head nuts until it becomes notchy, then loosen to find the sweet spot.

If you can't get rid of the loose play, it probably means a new headset needed.

 

[avfc1982]

It's much better now,should be ok to ride safely,got the other bike to do tomorrow,know what I'm doing now,thanks for the advice.