should i be worried? (unexact headtube)

[zoster]

Hi,

I got this Mielec frame and it isn't the most exact thing...
I got a headset (FSA Orbit X) that i didn't install yet, since i have to paint the frame first.
The thing is i put them on the openings of the headtube and they don't match perfectly. On both holes there is are some zones that have a small gap (like smaller than a nail thickness).
Now i don't know if those walls follow this contour deeper into the frame..but it is very possible

Should I worry about my headset being wobbly?
If yes, what could I do? Could I use some sort of special glue to fill up the small gap in there?
Would a headlock do the job?
http://img142.imagevenue.com/loc546/th_61348_headlock_122_546lo.jpg (http://img142.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=61348_headlock_122_546lo.jpg)

I need some imput, thanks a lot.

(please don't send answers saying that i should have bought another frame or smartass answers in general)

[Nuckfut]

I'd most definitely face it. Brand new frames I will always face unless (god forbid) some company actually faces the frame before it leaves the factory. I probably wouldn't worry about it unless the headtube is ovalized.

[AgrAde]

definitely face it. that should be a rule for all bikes, ever. get a LBS to face and install it for you, if there's anything wrong they'll know.

sorta hard to understand exactly what you're describing though.

[rush]

You should have to smash it in with a piece of wood and a hammer. Its the only way for a headset to be awesome.

[GarthMc]

You should have to smash it in with a piece of wood and a hammer. Its the only way for a headset to be awesome.

Look at you with your fancy piece of wood :riaa:

Real men use their bare hands

[jmkimmel]

I like to just throw one of the bearing cups on like a cockring and have my way with the headtube. By the time I'm done, it's snugged up tight. Repeat with the other cup, and voila!

[hophopsnap]

loose headset is bad, I was putting a fork back in an old beat to shit GT pysclone, and the entire bottom cup fell out, I was like uhhh and stuck it back in. You want that shit tighter than 12 year old nerdy white girls.

[Weetbix]

What do you guys mean by facing it?

[AgrAde]

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=66

[zoster]

sorta hard to understand exactly what you're describing though.

Here is a representation (click it):
http://img15.imagevenue.com/loc954/th_98140_corel2_122_954lo.jpg (http://img15.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=98140_corel2_122_954lo.jpg)

The pinkish surface is the one that is perfecly circular the headset), the black line is the headtube shape.

The maximum gap is less than 1/2 mm i approximate..

PARK TOOL QUOTATION:
" Generally, differences of 0.1-0.25mm are considered adequate for a press fit.( they might be talking only about the case the headtube hole is smaller) If the pressed cup is more than 0.3mm larger than the frame inside diameter, it may be very difficult to install, and frame damage may result.
If the press fit difference is from 0mm to 0.05mm, the press fit may be weak, and may result in movement during use. It may be possible to find a different headset cup that is slightly larger to improve the press fit. Otherwise, a strong grade of bearing retaining compound is recommended. If the headset cup is actually smaller than the inside diameter of the head tube, a new headset with a larger diameter is recommended. "


So one option is to put the headset in the current condition, and use some bearing retaining compound, or , as some of you guys suggested, to ream the headtube (face the inner walls).
If i do that, the headtube holes will be round, but bigger than the outside diameter of the headset cups. How do i fill it up?



Thanks for the posts, and keep them coming, they're really useful

[rav]

1: Send this frame back as did't meet QUALITY standards
2: Put the headset in the current condition, and use bearing retaining compound for example LOCTITE (http://68.72.74.113/PRODUCTS/641.htm)641 (http://68.72.74.113/PRODUCTS/641.htm) but you may damage your headset or they will not work smooth.
3: Press into this frame some Heavy duty CrMo H-set...many BMX or street riders have them. This alloy PA38 is realy soft. http://www.starbike.com/images/FSA/The_Pig_DH_Pro_Headset.jpg

One of unlucky Mielec customer from France received frame at this condition and fixed it as I know.

Good Luck

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/9761/855b0c10xu4.jpg
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/8425/764d5032kz2.jpg

[zoster]

1: Send this frame back as did't meet QUALITY standards
2: Put the headset in the current condition, and use bearing retaining compound for example LOCTITE (http://68.72.74.113/PRODUCTS/641.htm)641 (http://68.72.74.113/PRODUCTS/641.htm) but you may damage your headset or they will not work smooth.
3: Press into this frame some Heavy duty CrMo H-set...many BMX or street riders have them. This alloy PA38 is realy soft. http://www.starbike.com/images/FSA/The_Pig_DH_Pro_Headset.jpg

One of unlucky Mielec customer from France received frame at this condition and fixed it as I know.

Good Luck

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/9761/855b0c10xu4.jpg
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/8425/764d5032kz2.jpg

Thanks for the great reply.
My frame is far from that yellow one,

Here is a pic with the gaps..
http://img11.imagevenue.com/loc1078/th_05543_gaps_122_1078lo.JPG (http://img11.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=05543_gaps_122_1078lo.JPG)
http://img144.imagevenue.com/loc851/th_20232_gaps2_122_851lo.JPG (http://img144.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=20232_gaps2_122_851lo.JPG)

I hope it is ok to use just some bearing mount solution... what do you think??

[FoxRacer]

noone told you NOT to buy mielec?? Poor boy:P

[zoster]

noone told you NOT to buy mielec?? Poor boy:P


(please don't send answers saying that i should have bought another frame or smartass answers in general)

[zoster]

sorry to bring my thread up, but i need to know this:
i bought this glue, the kind where you have 2 tubes and mix them.
http://gb.vario-helicopter.biz/shop/product_info.php?products_id=33436
it isn;t actually 300kg/cm2

it actually depends on the drying temperature

Setting:
The setting time depends on the temperature; final strength can be increased by applying heat (not over 200°C – see table). Temperature Setting time Strength 20 °C 12 Std. 1200 N/cm2 40 °C 3 Std. 1800 N/cm2 70 °C 45 Min. 2000 N/cm2 100 °C 10 Min. 2500 N/cm2 180 °C 5 Min. 3000 N/cm2


10 N/cm2 = 1kg/cm2
I would try to dry it at 100, sticking the head of the frame in the owen.
all the trouble thanks to the proffesionals from mielec.

anyway, my question is: is it enough not to have further problems? will my headset stay there unbothered? (i am using a susp fork, that might take some of the shocks).

let me know what you think (if you know what you are talking about).

thanks a lot!

here are the gaps again:

http://img11.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=05543_gaps_122_1078lo.JPG

the headset doesn;t enter loosely, it will enter by force, but on some parts it does have a gap.

(i could find locktite products only on the internet, and they are really expensive anyway. mielec should pay for it, but i doubt they will..)