Modern Vespa

I took the P out for a test drive last night and after a while my damned headset bearings came loose and started rattling!

Now I have to deal with all those cables and wires and wires and cables and shit to get bat it. What a PAIN!



OK I'm done.

just loosen your headset bolt and lift the headset up a smidge to get in there to tight'n up the races

Hello

Agreed the headset lifts up enough to adjust the headraces.

Grumpy

this brings up a good question, does anyone have a trick for avoiding this?

Is it ok to put a little lock-tight on the threads?

I was considering this.

Thanks for the heads up guys, I was dreading it. I didn't realize it was that easy to get at. I'm glad I vented.

Hello

There is no requirement for locktight, just adjust the the lower nut place the lock washer on and then tighten up the locknut.
Me I tighten up the lower nut to settle the bearings and the release and retighten until there is nil movement fore and aft but the bars still turn.

Regards

Grumpy

grumpy: so you tighten/loosen multiple time to get a good fit?

seb

Mine keep coming loose as well, and then I get that play in the front end. I'm wondering what will prevent them from coming loose. I really cranked down the locking ring last time good, but it's still come loose. I may have to order new ones and use locktight or something to keep them from coming apart. I'm getting tired of having to take it all apart.

Hello

I seem to get them right first time (done them a few times now) and once tight they cannot come loose if the lock washer is in place, however over a few hundred miles they may require a small amount of adjustment.
So the stack is adjusting nut/tanged lock washer/locknut.

Regards

Grumpy

you know this set up is virtually identical to a old school threaded bicycle head set. I'm going down to the local bike shop to check it out. they might know a trick.

I worked in and later owned a bike shop for many years. The trick is to get the bottom nut/ bearing race just right, put on the locking notched washer, and crank down on the top nut with the proper tool. If you don't have the right tool it makes it tough to really get it tight enough to stay in place.

Also, if there is too much play between the nut and the bearings, it will vibrate and rotate loose which adds to the top nut becoming loose as well.