Fork/headset problem

[dangerousb73]

Hi Please can someone help,

My son ordered the parts to build a himself a custom scooter for Christmas, to cut a very long story short, the scooter's forks wobble back and forward, the only way we have been able to stop this is by tightening the bolt into the star nut into the forks so much that the bars wont turn.

The problem seems to be in the headset, the compression ring doesn't fit tightly around the forks, I'm not sure if we have done something wrong or we have a part missing, we have tried different forks, taking it to a few bike shops etc but nobody really fixes scooter around here.

The scooter is made up with

Blunt AOS V2 Ryan Upchurch Signature Scooter Deck White
Apex Bol Scooter Bars - Black


Lucky Smx Forks

Blazer Pro Scooter SCS Alloy Compression Kit Matt Black


District Integrated Threadless Headset



I hope someone can help Thank you in advance for reading

 

[ChrisFleugel]

its most likely got something to do with compression. Blazer doesn't particularly make the best parts. try taking it all apart and re building it.

 

[Hamish C]

Sounds like you might have installed the headset wrong, have you got the crown race on the bottom of the forks? Got the bearings facing the right way around? The compression ring should slide in easily and fit fairly snug into the headset bearing, are you sure you're using the ring with the slit in it?

 

[dangerousb73]

Hi Thank you for your replies, We have taken it all apart and re built in loads of times, yes we have a crown race at the bottom and we are using the compression ring, If I can upload some photos please can you take a look to if we have it put together right?

 

[dangerousb73]

First pic showing how its assembled under dust cap, second pic showing the order of the parts.

it is snug fitting on bottom bearing but you can wobble the top.

Cheers

 

[dangerousb73]

 

[dangerousb73]

 

[GraysonD!!]

So there is a slight wobble it looks as though you have it correctly on there. Because if there is a slight wobble that is okay because the scs tightens it down.

 

[dangerousb73]

Thank you for your reply, It is a slight wobble, but it doesn't improve when the scs and bars are fitted, then its more noticeable once the bars are on because of the extra leverage.

 

[GraysonD!!]

Once you have the scs on is the fork flush with the top of the scs lip where you put the washer post a picture with the headset on and everything else on and have the scs on top of it and don't put the washer in like you were to tighten it down.

Thank you for your reply, It is a slight wobble, but it doesn't improve when the scs and bars are fitted, then its more noticeable once the bars are on because of the extra leverage.

 

[dangerousb73]

Hi, yes I will do picture asap, , I Just tried something I wrapped a small piece of electrical tape around the compression ring to thickened the outer edge, then tightened it all up and the wobble has gone, I know it wont last but does this suggest any particular problem to you?

 

[Hamish C]

Hi, yes I will do picture asap, , I Just tried something I wrapped a small piece of electrical tape around the compression ring to thickened the outer edge, then tightened it all up and the wobble has gone, I know it wont last but does this suggest any particular problem to you?

It could just be the quality of the headset, District headsets arent particularly good and a small bit of wobble can be expected but the way you've described it it sounds like it might be something else. I've ridden a poor quality threadless headset and my bars would wobble when I was using that.
it also could be that the forktube is slightly too long and you might need to put a small headset spacer on but that wouldnt explain it locking up when you tighten it heaps.

 

[dangerousb73]

Hi, I did suspect the headset wasn't quite right with the compression ring being pretty loose, we don't know much about what brands are buy etc.

We do use a 5mm spacer, the fork is almost flush with the washer in the scs, but the clamp just hits the spacer before it hits the washer, if that makes sense. I will upload the pics now.

Thanks again

 

[dangerousb73]

 

[dangerousb73]

top view without, collar, washer and bolt

 

[ChrisFleugel]

i honestly have no clue whats wrong. everything seems to be put together correctly. i can only suggest tightening your scs, but you said the bars wont spin then

 

[dangerousb73]

Thank you for looking Chris, at the moment with the tape around the outside of the compression ring its ok, but I guess that won't last.

Thanks again at least we know its put together correctly

 

[Scootermom13]

Hello,

I am having the same trouble with helping my son build his scooter. Same deck (Padel deck), same forks, blunt 4 bolt SCS clamp, had to add 25mm of spacers to ensure enough head room for the compression. All put together properly. We tighten down the SCS and then install the bars and secure the clamp. After a few runs at the skate park the headset loosens with enough play to make it concern. I can see the headset moving.

Were you ever able to resolve the problem? We are thinking maybe a longer compression bolt or a bigger clamp (4" clamp) so fewer spacers are needed. Currently 25mm in spacer rings.

 

[Marketship]

Scs is a very reliable compression system, usually with all these wobbling problems the culprit lies in the headset. If you know you're putting together your scooter properly and somethings wrong, you might want to look into changing some parts. A quality headset can really make your life and the scooter's life so much easier.

 

[Scootermom13]

Thank you,
We have Tilt Integrated Headset. Do you have another recommendation?