The first ring of the headset that goes on the forks (ie the bit at the bottom of the steerer) should fit tightly. What can/do I do if it doesn't fit tightly? Once its on (and its pushed down to the bottom) its still got a tiny bit of play in it. If I build the bike up like with it loose it'll rattle and annoy the hell out of me.

I really need just a very thin shim or something. I was thinking of making one out of a drinks can. Only problem is I don't know if its thick enough to get a piece of can all the way round and it may offset my steering a bit if the shim is only on one side.

Its a very old frame (well late 60s ish at a guess) so this part of the fork is probably just worn down. Can I get it redone somehow?

Any ideas?

Cheers.

Its a JF Wilson btw.

I'm building it up for my GF to replace the Sid Mottram (too small) shes been riding up till now (oh and a Dawes Galaxy that shes uses sometimes - trying to slim the collection down to just one bike - also her Galaxy is worn and ugly and in dire need of a respray).

you need a center punch and a hammer. then you you hammer notches im the seat for the cone bit of retaining compound. sorted

just shimmed up my own crown race this afternoon, drinks cans are thinner than you think, try it first.

Yeah I think I'll give the drinks can method a go. The center punch idea is clever but will have to be a bit of a last resort. Cheers guys.

yeah, just cut a long strip about 3mm wide and you can wrap it around the crown seat as much as you need to make up the thickness, what I found useful today was to use a thick grease to hold it in place, its springy stuff.