Unsolved challenges with the the the head set of bike repaint project

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
February 11, 2018

I thought that with the buying and installation of new Ragusa head set at my bike repaint sticker project (I stopped calling this with the  brand name) my woes with the rebuild project would end.  I finally rode on this today up to Morong.   And the mentors the gurus had their suggestions:

1. Invest in a a new group set.  The current Ultegra 6600 with its its tattered hood (new hoods are not available)   Agree.  I have been canvassing.  Replace with SRAM red or 6700 shifter.

2. The headset:   there is still a play. Peter said the bearings are not well seated.  There is still about 3 mm gap.

Jeff A. suggested that I bring the bike to his house for repair, reinstallation.

As soon as I got home, I looked for the parts of Ragusa:  a bearing and two circlips.   I disassembled the bike's fork and removed the bearings.  I experimented various combination until the bearing was well seated:  there has to be two circlips top and bottom, and may previous installation of the bearing was upside down. The tapered portion has to be at the bottom. I followed the advice of Jeff that I should tighten from the top first to get the parts pressed (he is a lathe operator) and then fix the side bolts.

I followed the instruction and I got it right this time.  I texted Jeff that it is OK (I hope)