|   Should I install my new fork and headset myself?? | DJS
Oct 21, 2002 6:52 AM | | Should I do the work myself or save the the hassle and have my LBS do it for me?
are head sets easy to replace?
also I have a schwinn Bmx w/ a 1 1/8" headset it was made for jumping, its has a tough as nails neck on it, would this be good for my mtn bike? |
| re: Should I install my new fork and headset myself?? | bootboy
Oct 21, 2002 7:27 AM | | I did it myself about 3 weeks ago. Whether you should do the job yourself depends. If you've got a bit of experience of car mechanics or similar, you should find it a breeze. you need to be confident with a couple of things...
1. You need to be OK with driving out the old headset. This took a bit more force than I'd guessed it would, and there's a potential to do serious damage to the head tube if you get it wrong. If you've never driven a bearing out of it's housing, think twice.
2. You need to be OK with hacksawing through your steerer tube. Get that bit wrong and you're in deep s**t. (measure twice, cut once!!!)
3. You need to be able to drive the starfangled nut into the headset straight - not as easy as it sounds, you can get proper tools for doing this, or make one)
The rest of it is a breeze - just gradually tighten down on the starfangled nut until all the play has gone from your headset. Bob's yer uncle. I found that after the first real blast over rough ground, the headset developed some slack that needed adjusting out again - no big deal.
Hope that helps. Like I said, I did it first out with no problems, but you do need a basic level of competence to be sure you're gonna do it right.
As for the headset, don't have a clue whether it's suitable except to say if it's fitted to the BMX, don't drive it out and re-use. It'll probably be bent in the drivng out process. |
| re: Should I install my new fork and headset myself?? | chirsss
Oct 21, 2002 1:55 PM | | hey check out this website... some of the pictures dont load but im sure its way better than makin it up as u go...
http://www.universalcycles.com/installs/forkinstall/forkinstall.html |
| re: Should I install my new fork and headset myself?? | Ride Biker
Oct 21, 2002 6:28 PM | | I have been working on cars and bikes for 10 years or so, so mechanically I am competent (not a professional though). I know and understand how to install the headset and fork on my bike, but because i am dealing with parts that cost a lot of money, I let my LBS do the work. They have the right tools to remove and install your headset, without causing any damage to the bike or the parts. They will put your fork in a special vice clamp to cut the steerer, and then grind the cut edge of the steerer, so your parts will fit nicely over the top of the steerer. They even have a star nut installation tool, gets it straight every time. After that, putting the pieces together and adjusting them is a snap.
If you buy the parts from them, they should charge you minimal, if not, then expect to pay $30 or so for a headset install and steerer cut. For me, the right tools for the job wins over "I can do it for free, myself" in this situation. |
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