Help: Tightening Headset

Sorry if this is a really obvious question, but I noticed that when I was using my front brake there was a tiny 'clunk' sound. Stopping at the lights it was obvious that the nut on the top of the headset was really loose.

I have an adjustable spanner that I can use to tighten it up but I wondered how tight should it be? Just tight enough or very tight?

The lower nut does the adjustment. Tighten so there's no slack/still swivels freely. The top nut then clamps down to lock the lower one in position. You'll need 2 spanners - some headsets just have a knurled edge (use grippers -carefully), some are smooth with holes for specialist locknut spanners (maybe take to your LBS).

Sorry if this is a really obvious question, but I noticed that when I was using my front brake there was a tiny 'clunk' sound. Stopping at the lights it was obvious that the nut on the top of the headset was really loose.

I have an adjustable spanner that I can use to tighten it up but I wondered how tight should it be? Just tight enough or very tight?

Look on the park tools site for visuals and guidance

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/threaded-headset-service

just be careful not to over-tighten it as this will damage the bearings and feel crap to ride.

Awesome, loads of information there, thanks! It feels great now and not moving at all.

In a similar vein, my headset keeps loosening itself. Even if I tighten it up properly with a proper headset spanner etc, after a few days I'll be there at the traffic lights tightening it up by hand again to get me home.

WTF? To be fair, it is (quite a bit) older than me. When a threaded heasdset gets worn out is this what happens?

In a similar vein, my headset keeps loosening itself. Even if I tighten it up properly with a proper headset spanner etc, after a few days I'll be there at the traffic lights tightening it up by hand again to get me home.

WTF? To be fair, it is (quite a bit) older than me. When a threaded heasdset gets worn out is this what happens?

This is not what happens when it gets worn.

I suspect that either you are not locking the two screwed parts together correctly or are perhaps missing the tabbed washer!

Hold adjustable race from moving and tighten locknut fully. Check again for play, rotating fork and checking different positions.

Please look at the link previously posted.

You might need an extra spacer washer.

Thanks fellas.

I certainly don't have a tabbed washer, so will look into that.

Once the adjustable race is in position I can tighten the locknut fully, but then the locknut works loose after a couple of days (maximum).