What can be done if the steerer on some forks is too short?

also, nos, njs.

the headset goes at the top and the chrome bit that goes between the bottom of the steerer and the tube it sits in? What's that?

the crown race goes on the fork steerer, then some bearings, then the cup that is in the bottom of head tube, then the cup in top of headtube, then some more bearing, then another race and lock nut.

tynan draw a diagram pleez

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ha-i.html#headset