Was so frustrated with my loose headset and couldn't find the solution because my bike is old. Thanks to your vid, I'm out riding today with confidence!
I was forced to build a motorized bike last year and I can't stop building them now...you my man have givin me so many remedies and I was born with basic skills, the most one I've used is the flex tape! Thanks man
I bought one from a friend who built it. Having to fix it constantly has given me itch because now it's like I can't wait til something is loose so I can fix it, take it apart and learn from it. That said, now I just wanna build my own. What's the best place to start?
@@brettsommer depends, are you more interested in a cruiser style or Hardtail mountain bike? What’s your budget? what are you looking to get out of your bike?
@@brettsommer That’s a good choice for a motorized bike. Just know if you get one with a coaster brake, it’ll require some slight bending of the brake arm. me personally, I would get one with some rim brakes. you could pretty much stick any motor into a cruiser frame, so happy building!
Going to rebuild an early 90s MTB, there ade so many differences to newer models and it's awesome that sou make those Videos, they are so helpfull! Keep on making those Videos please, you inspire a lot of People to do the first steps in Bike repairs! Best wishes from germany❤️
I'm going to post my austro daimler bicycle to your facebook. Your videos are literally the only reason it works . Its not a restore and I powdercoated it so the vintageness is gone but its a 70's frame that is now going to become my everyday rider // thanks to you that is
Stormy D. It’s not. It’s a trek. But the brand new cheap Walmart bikes my kids have have that headset design since that’s the cheaper way. The newer nice bikes that r at bike shops have the three Allen or hex key spots to adjust it. This video is exactly what I needed. Now I just need a thin Pedros wrench. I don’t have a thing that thin unfirunately
This really help me a lot i got my first bike last month who have the same problem like yours and i thought its normal until i see this video,thanks a lot🥳
I had a bike with this problem but I found that when I tightened the headset it was either too tight or too loose (I just could not find the sweet spot). I eventually found that the reason was that the crown race had been slightly dented. I think the cause may have been that it had been loose for a long time and caused progressive damage. I replaced the crown race (using another of your videos and a special tool you invented) and the bearings and everything was fine after that. Thanks. Have you ever seen crown race damage caused by loose headsets. What percentage of bike with loose headsets would you estimate have damage to the crown race? Thanks again. Great video.
Bike repair shops, at least in my country, have a tendency tighten this up as a "service" while managing to over tightening it. Makes it hard to turn, and the bearings seem to settle in the middle.
thank you this helps cuz since i bought a new mountain bike and my old mountain bike that my grandfather game me the bike is so wiggly i literally fell while cycling in an offroad area
Is it possible to tighten the headset without that second, thinner wrench? Any DIY suggestions? I have a pair of channel locks that I could use on the locknut but no way to tighten the actual headset nut.
RJ, huge fan. Love what you're doing. I tighten the headset and locknut but it continues to come loose. I've also replaced the stem. Does the size of the stem have anything to do with the headset coming loose? Did I replace with the wrong size?
Hey I think it's super important that u mention to be careful not to eat into the treads while turning the nut all the way. U shouldn't turn the nut all the way n force it beyond a point
What about when the handlebars aren't tight regarding the front wheel turning independently of them? Is that the bolt on top that takes a 6mm allen? Anyone know the Nm it's meant to be? I tightened mine quite a lot and the front wheel can still turn while holding the handlebars.
Hey, I'm working on a cheaper bmx bike that has this type of stem. When I try to tighten the locknut right before the nut you use to tighten up the forks. The nut stops at a certain point where I can't tighten any further. There is like 2 threads left between the nut and the nut you use to tighten the forks bearings and won't let me go further.
my sons bike has loose handlebars, he will knock the front wheel and the alignment is off really easily. I have tried tightening the parts u show in this vid. Doesn't help? any ideas on a fix? (I did find that if I tightened the bearing screw one.. lower.. made it worse, handlebars were moving completely independent from the wheel.
+kelly ledet Without working on the bike I can't tell you specifically what the issue is. You might take it to a local bike shop and have them look at it. It could be stripped.that some threads got stripped or something is broken.
+RJ The Bike Guy I figured it out. Didn't notice a bolt on the top. it had a cover over it. bit after watching a few vids on kids bike assembly I twigged :)
There should be a bolt on top of the stem, generally accepting a 5 or 6mm hex/allen key. By losening that, the stem become free at which point you can adjust the height or adjust the alignment with the front wheel.
I got a used Magna today, there was play just like you showed, I tightened the locknut and broke it and since I'm no bike expert am now stuck. Please help.
RJ, can you please talk about threaded headset, specially saying best brands of it? I use it, but it loosens quite easily! Does the trepidation can be a big reason for it? thanks! greetings!
I see. Sometimes I tighten it so much I can't turn the steering, and then I loosen for not breaking the headset. I'll try to check it out better! Thank you for your helping :D
Huh? What are you tightening? The cup, or the lock nut. The cup should be tightened just enough so you don't have play, but it turns smoothly. Then you tighten the lock nut down. If you are loosening the lock nut, that is your problem.
Hm, I understand! I tighten the cup nut enough (just to avoid playing), ok! The lock nut role is just to keep the cup nut stand still, isn't it? Sorry my english :D
Tip: When using a crescent wrench to tighten or loosen any type of fastener (e.g., bolt or nut), always apply the wrench opening to the fastener with the stationary side of the wrench so that it makes contact with the side of the fastener in which the torque is being applied. This will (1) prevent wrench slippage and marring of the fastener, (2) allow you to use your thumb to hold the wrench adjustment wheel so that the wrench remains tight on the fastener, and (3) allow you to apply greater torque to the fastener.
mine was loose, it was causing what seemed like an out of true front wheel, i did the same thing here, except I made mine a little tighter, should we also take out the bearings and re grease everything with marine grease?
I have that issue but in the bottom part. When i use the front brakes the bottom part moves and i have checked all and everithing is ok. I dont know how to repair it. Btw, thanks for your vídeos.
Hi RJ, I have a problem with the headset on my mtb. When I move it slightly to the left and right there is a "click" sound. It's not caused by the cables. Do you have any ideas what the cause might be?
just need a second adj wrenk to take the loose of my stronglight delta , how good they survived 30years , bearings intact, ill make a video how to overhaul that
I have the same headset. I don't know how to remove it honestly. I want to remove the headset so I could repaint the frame. Could someone tell me what kind of handle bar is in the video so I could get a little bit of progress in the project.
Sir, my lock knot got broken, what to do now any alternative solution to replace the broken lock knot! In my case It is not possible to remove stem from head tube to replace entire bearing set coz it getting frozen (jammed).
This is my first road ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and I have taken it out a handful of times and so far it is exceeding all of my expectations. I didn’t want to break the bank on a first bike and the herd is a great option for getting a fast bike with reliable components. I plan on riding this bike for many years to come. Thank you Sava!
Hello guys! I did the same on my bike, but after 20-30km it become loose again. I have tightened again, but it has become loose in even shorter distance. Any idea?
Recently, I fell when I was riding my bike. But my headset twisted to the right and it’s staying in place. So if I turn my handle are straight, the wheel is turned to the left. Any help( sry if it wasn’t a good explanation)
For more bike repair videos hit the subscribe button 🛑 and click the notification bell ► bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy
Was so frustrated with my loose headset and couldn't find the solution because my bike is old. Thanks to your vid, I'm out riding today with confidence!
I’ve been looking for this advice for months!
Most videos are for modern headsets but my bike dates from 1992, so this will help!
I was forced to build a motorized bike last year and I can't stop building them now...you my man have givin me so many remedies and I was born with basic skills, the most one I've used is the flex tape! Thanks man
I bought one from a friend who built it. Having to fix it constantly has given me itch because now it's like I can't wait til something is loose so I can fix it, take it apart and learn from it. That said, now I just wanna build my own. What's the best place to start?
@@brettsommer depends, are you more interested in a cruiser style or Hardtail mountain bike? What’s your budget? what are you looking to get out of your bike?
@@lukeWiz44 very true. I guess I’d like to start with a cruiser frame 26er….
@@brettsommer That’s a good choice for a motorized bike. Just know if you get one with a coaster brake, it’ll require some slight bending of the brake arm. me personally, I would get one with some rim brakes. you could pretty much stick any motor into a cruiser frame, so happy building!
Going to rebuild an early 90s MTB, there ade so many differences to newer models and it's awesome that sou make those Videos, they are so helpfull! Keep on making those Videos please, you inspire a lot of People to do the first steps in Bike repairs!
Best wishes from germany❤️
This is now my go-to channel when I need information on vintage bike repairs. Thank you RJ.
Thanks RJ, for helping me fix my bike.
बप
I'm going to post my austro daimler bicycle to your facebook. Your videos are literally the only reason it works . Its not a restore and I powdercoated it so the vintageness is gone but its a 70's frame that is now going to become my everyday rider // thanks to you that is
Great tutorial. Thanks so much. I used to fiddle with these forever, i never knew it was that simple.
Thanks for making this vid. It's hard to find repair vids for us folks with cheap Walmart type bikes. :)
New sub!
Stormy D. It’s not. It’s a trek. But the brand new cheap Walmart bikes my kids have have that headset design since that’s the cheaper way. The newer nice bikes that r at bike shops have the three Allen or hex key spots to adjust it. This video is exactly what I needed. Now I just need a thin Pedros wrench. I don’t have a thing that thin unfirunately
It's not about price. Vintage steel rider can be just as if not more expensive than modern aluminium or carbon whips.
This was so helpful.
My bike is the older style and this is exactly what I needed to see.
Headset now done and no more wobble.
Thank you.
Simple and straight to the point. Thanks RJ!!
This really help me a lot i got my first bike last month who have the same problem like yours and i thought its normal until i see this video,thanks a lot🥳
Thank you had this problem for 1 year and after watching the video got it fixed.
I had a bike with this problem but I found that when I tightened the headset it was either too tight or too loose (I just could not find the sweet spot). I eventually found that the reason was that the crown race had been slightly dented. I think the cause may have been that it had been loose for a long time and caused progressive damage.
I replaced the crown race (using another of your videos and a special tool you invented) and the bearings and everything was fine after that. Thanks.
Have you ever seen crown race damage caused by loose headsets. What percentage of bike with loose headsets would you estimate have damage to the crown race?
Thanks again. Great video.
I haven't seen damage from a loose headset. Maybe the bike was ridden for a long time with a very loose headset.
Your videos are so helpful. I really appreciate the time you've put into them -- I've learned a lot, and saved a ton of money!
Thank you so much! You got right to the point and quickly taught me how to fix my bike!
great video, but would it work if the two bearings are worn out?
thanks RJ, only video I could find that deals with this type of fork / stem! Very helpful.
Love you man!!! Just dialed in my 66’ Columbia 500 neck I picked up over the weekend..so obvious maybe, couldn’t see the forest, blah, blah the trees😘
Thanks dude!, I trust you when it comes to classic bikes lol
Bike repair shops, at least in my country, have a tendency tighten this up as a "service" while managing to over tightening it. Makes it hard to turn, and the bearings seem to settle in the middle.
thank you this helps cuz since i bought a new mountain bike and my old mountain bike that my grandfather game me the bike is so wiggly i literally fell while cycling in an offroad area
Very helpful, I was about to change the bike
Did u say 32mm cone wrench? Cause I went through the links you provided for tools and dont see 32mm.
Not sure what it is but everything you say just makea sense and every question I have you have a video answer to.
Thanku very much for this video for older bicycles 🙏🙏👍
Thank you! I couldn’t find videos on the threaded headsets!
Helpful as always. Many thanks 👍🏼
Thank you! Had a play for 2 months... a play by like 2cm... was scared to ride it... now it is perfect and stifff!!!!
Thanks RJ for a very helpful video
Can this be done with top screw on the stem, under the cap? I raise the stem probably too much and I have that play now.
Many thanks! As usual, its really all about having the right tools for the job.
Can you do it with a couple crescents?
Thanks bro. Had a loose headset on a foldie and was a simple fix. 👍🏻
Is it possible to tighten the headset without that second, thinner wrench? Any DIY suggestions? I have a pair of channel locks that I could use on the locknut but no way to tighten the actual headset nut.
If you have another wrench that will fit.
Now I need a cone wrench. My dads old fuji has a clunky loose headset, thanks for the vid.
RJ, huge fan. Love what you're doing.
I tighten the headset and locknut but it continues to come loose. I've also replaced the stem. Does the size of the stem have anything to do with the headset coming loose? Did I replace with the wrong size?
The stem wouldn't effect the locknut coming loose. Either you aren't tighten it enough, or the threads might be damaged. Or maybe something else.
Hey I think it's super important that u mention to be careful not to eat into the treads while turning the nut all the way. U shouldn't turn the nut all the way n force it beyond a point
You shouldn't over torque any bolt or nut.
@@RJTheBikeGuy :) teellllll eeeemmmmmm 😂😂😂😂 thanks for the video brother
What about when the handlebars aren't tight regarding the front wheel turning independently of them? Is that the bolt on top that takes a 6mm allen? Anyone know the Nm it's meant to be? I tightened mine quite a lot and the front wheel can still turn while holding the handlebars.
Hey, I'm working on a cheaper bmx bike that has this type of stem. When I try to tighten the locknut right before the nut you use to tighten up the forks. The nut stops at a certain point where I can't tighten any further. There is like 2 threads left between the nut and the nut you use to tighten the forks bearings and won't let me go further.
Someone may have removed a spacer at some point. Probably attached to a reflector. Add a spacer.
@@RJTheBikeGuy old reply but this just solved my problem. I was missing a spacer because I removed the reflector. Thanks!
@@LaserrSharp Yep, that would do it.
my sons bike has loose handlebars, he will knock the front wheel and the alignment is off really easily. I have tried tightening the parts u show in this vid. Doesn't help? any ideas on a fix? (I did find that if I tightened the bearing screw one.. lower.. made it worse, handlebars were moving completely independent from the wheel.
+kelly ledet Without working on the bike I can't tell you specifically what the issue is. You might take it to a local bike shop and have them look at it. It could be stripped.that some threads got stripped or something is broken.
+RJ The Bike Guy I figured it out. Didn't notice a bolt on the top. it had a cover over it. bit after watching a few vids on kids bike assembly I twigged :)
Cool!
How to adjust the height of such a handlebar/stem, which nut to lose?
Thx
There should be a bolt on top of the stem, generally accepting a 5 or 6mm hex/allen key. By losening that, the stem become free at which point you can adjust the height or adjust the alignment with the front wheel.
Hey, I wrecked and broke my threaded head set. I have a parts bike that will fit it, how do I interchange them?
I got a used Magna today, there was play just like you showed, I tightened the locknut and broke it and since I'm no bike expert am now stuck. Please help.
Great so i dont have the stuff to tighten it any else i could use
Thank you that was super easy to understand 🙏
Is it possible to do this repair without the cone wrench?
glad it was this easy, thanks!
Hello. Please can you make a vídeo to how to fix a damage thread fork. If it is possible to fix the fork.
Damaged how?
@@RJTheBikeGuy stripped thread fork. I want to recover the stripped thread as like you do to in pedals bike. Thks to answer my question
Probably not. If the threads are stripped, you can't really add threads.
@@RJTheBikeGuy ok understood . ths to answer all my questions.
RJ, can you please talk about threaded headset, specially saying best brands of it? I use it, but it loosens quite easily! Does the trepidation can be a big reason for it?
thanks!
greetings!
There are many good brands. Maybe you aren't tightening it enough. Or maybe your threads are string, and it is slipping.
I see. Sometimes I tighten it so much I can't turn the steering, and then I loosen for not breaking the headset.
I'll try to check it out better!
Thank you for your helping :D
Huh? What are you tightening? The cup, or the lock nut. The cup should be tightened just enough so you don't have play, but it turns smoothly. Then you tighten the lock nut down. If you are loosening the lock nut, that is your problem.
Hm, I understand! I tighten the cup nut enough (just to avoid playing), ok! The lock nut role is just to keep the cup nut stand still, isn't it?
Sorry my english :D
Yes. The lock nut locks the cup in place.
Tip: When using a crescent wrench to tighten or loosen any type of fastener (e.g., bolt or nut), always apply the wrench opening to the fastener with the stationary side of the wrench so that it makes contact with the side of the fastener in which the torque is being applied. This will (1) prevent wrench slippage and marring of the fastener, (2) allow you to use your thumb to hold the wrench adjustment wheel so that the wrench remains tight on the fastener, and (3) allow you to apply greater torque to the fastener.
mine was loose, it was causing what seemed like an out of true front wheel, i did the same thing here, except I made mine a little tighter, should we also take out the bearings and re grease everything with marine grease?
Go for it.
RJ The Bike Guy thanks it seemed like lots of grease was still there I just wanted to check your videos to see if I was doing it right 😁
Tanks i fixed my grandpas bike with this method
Worked like a charm, thanks for the video!
Thanks! Good walkthrough!
Thanks so much! My bike is so much better now.
ive been doing this for weeks and it hasnt tightened sufficiently but illhave naother go tomrrow, something to do
Omfg thank you 🙏 soooooo much you fixed and dialed by bike THANK YOU
Thanks for the video, this solved my wobble.
thank you so much Mr. Rj
Thanks! sorted me out too😊
How to increase or replace headset so handle bars could be raised, for this particular headset?
The headset isn't the issue. You want a new quill stem that is taller.
@@RJTheBikeGuy thanks for advice,
is it possible to lower the quill stem?
I have that issue but in the bottom part. When i use the front brakes the bottom part moves and i have checked all and everithing is ok. I dont know how to repair it. Btw, thanks for your vídeos.
Sounds like you need to overhaul it. ua-cam.com/video/oPmBjotRLb0/v-deo.html
@@RJTheBikeGuy cobra kai?
@@lvev LOL! That is funny! I intended to link to my headset overhaul video: ua-cam.com/video/kv4lAAkDtKM/v-deo.html
Hi RJ, I have a problem with the headset on my mtb. When I move it slightly to the left and right there is a "click" sound. It's not caused by the cables. Do you have any ideas what the cause might be?
Overhaul it.
Can you say the tools names with size used for this? 👆👆👆👆
just need a second adj wrenk to take the loose of my stronglight delta , how good they survived 30years , bearings intact, ill make a video how to overhaul that
Im trying to align my sons handlebars to front fork on bmx style bike...i loosened every thing that would turn and cant fig it out...
I could be the stem is seized. ua-cam.com/video/7GvN7w386U0/v-deo.html
Awesome thank you so much.
Thanks the the video. Very helpful.
Good tip. Many thanks.
As always, very helpful.Thank you
I have the same headset. I don't know how to remove it honestly. I want to remove the headset so I could repaint the frame. Could someone tell me what kind of handle bar is in the video so I could get a little bit of progress in the project.
ua-cam.com/video/kv4lAAkDtKM/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/VkY879pMafE/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/HGfvO-ztoT4/v-deo.html
Sir, my lock knot got broken, what to do now any alternative solution to replace the broken lock knot! In my case It is not possible to remove stem from head tube to replace entire bearing set coz it getting frozen (jammed).
ua-cam.com/video/7GvN7w386U0/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/8b4t42wiJpQ/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/knEvRhM-g4Q/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/bGqV5KE7cb8/v-deo.html
Thanks!
Thank you so much sir
This is my first road ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and I have taken it out a handful of times and so far it is exceeding all of my expectations. I didn’t want to break the bank on a first bike and the herd is a great option for getting a fast bike with reliable components. I plan on riding this bike for many years to come. Thank you Sava!
thank you very much and i didn't mean to write that down my brother wrote it
Save my day :)
mine looses alignment with the handle bar especially when in transit it turns and doesn't stay straight. how do i fix it?
Nothing to do with the headset. Tighten the stem.
worked thanks
Thanks very much. Helped a lot.
Hello guys! I did the same on my bike, but after 20-30km it become loose again. I have tightened again, but it has become loose in even shorter distance. Any idea?
Not tightening or enough. Or there is something else wrong. Maybe stripped threads and it is slipping? IDK.
I guess the thread itself is broken, I am trying with a new headset, maybe it will help... :/
Thanks, RJ!
so mine isnt loose but it makes a wobbley noise when fork is bounced.
New sub👍
Mine get loose again after riding the bike
thanks
Okay so what about a bike that has a hand threaded race?
What do you mean by a "hand threaded race"?
The bearing race that threads into the fork has not notches for a wrench
Hold it with your hand while you tighten the lock nut. It's otherwise the same.
My cycle headset is very loose when I tight it, I am not able to tight it is free the screw is free
The handle continuesly wobbling
It sucks😥😥😥
Could be stripped. I can't tell you without working on it. Take it to a shop.
It sounds like you eating
Recently, I fell when I was riding my bike. But my headset twisted to the right and it’s staying in place. So if I turn my handle are straight, the wheel is turned to the left. Any help( sry if it wasn’t a good explanation)
I recomend removing the headset or at least loosen it and try to re-tighten it in the correct position and then tighten it again.
That's not the headset. The stem turned. Loosen the stem and rotate it. ua-cam.com/video/VcLcFRQvf-k/v-deo.html
2022 ❤️
Kis kis by try kia like kry
Hello
Yo.
illuminati
Bro Mera cycle too government ka hai
easy peasy
Lora
gujrati ma bolay english ma hu bak bak kare