My Raleigh Bike. The Start.

[EltonFrog]

Actually, looking at that again I might be talking beau larks so check first before twatting it with anything.

 

[Boon 51]

I have just put it all back together it looks ok but something is not quite right?

When I got the bike it had a tight spot which has now gone. but if I tighten the bottom thread too much the forks go stiff and If I tighten the top lock nut they go stiff as well but the lock nuts are only just over finger tight.
The bearings at the bottom are bearings facing up and on the top the bearings are also facing up are they the right way round?

 

[Boon 51]

Actually, looking at that again I might be talking beau larks so check first before twatting it with anything.

I talk bolarks as well..

 

[mikeymustard]

I have just put it all back together it looks ok but something is not quite right?

When I got the bike it had a tight spot which has now gone. but if I tighten the bottom thread too much the forks go stiff and If I tighten the top lock nut they go stiff as well but the lock nuts are only just over finger tight.
The bearings at the bottom are bearings facing up and on the top the bearings are also facing up are they the right way round?

There's a bit of a knack to it but you need to stop the lower adjuster nut moving as you tighten the upper "lock" nut against it

 

[Boon 51]

Just had another go and the good news is the forks now turn smoothly the bad news is both lock nuts are only finger tight which can't be right?

 

[raleighnut]

Just had another go and the good news is the forks now turn smoothly the bad news is both lock nuts are only finger tight which can't be right?

Tighten the top nut against the bottom one by holding it still, you may have to slacken off the bottom nut a bit more to achieve this without over-tightening the headset, it can take a few tries to get it just right.

 

[mikeymustard]

Sometimes you need to back off the bottom nut a touch (so it's slightly too loose) then cinch the top to tighten them

Edit @raleighnut you beat me to it

 

[midlife]

Check the caged bearings are the right way round, it’s posdible to assemble them upside down.

 

[biggs682]

Check the caged bearings are the right way round, it’s posdible to assemble them upside down.

That's another good reason to use loose bearings

 

[carpenter]

^^^^^^ and loose bearings are quite easy to stick in place with grease

 

[mikeymustard]

^^^^^^ and loose bearings are quite easy to stick in place with grease

this is turning into one of those circular threads

 

[Boon 51]

I think I've done it, the forks turn just right and there is no movement in the forks. so what @raleighnut and @mikeymustard said about slackening the bottom lock nut was the answer, it did take me about 10 goes but it worked, I did think at the time the bottom lock nut was too loose but as it tightened up it was just about right.
Cheers one and all.

 

[Kempstonian]

You might find this useful...

 

[Boon 51]

Here's my 30mm spanner for my next project.

 

[EltonFrog]

Here's my 30mm spanner for my next project.

View attachment 447547

Needs a bigger box.