Crown race not tight to fork

I've just bought a new fork to replace a crash damaged one, and transferred my old crown race over. It sits very closely (no visible gap or play) so I'm sure it's the right size (26.4mm), but it doesn't clamp on tightly like it should - just sits on the fork crown, albeit with no movement, so I can just lift it off again.

Is this okay? I figure when I tighten down the headset it'll be under compression anyway, and there's no play in the race, but it still doesn't feel quite right...

It doesn't sound right tbh. A crown race is interference fit so should be really tight (mainly the reason why they can be a pig to get off). You may be ok. I wouldn't want to risk it tho as you could be riding and it suddenly be pushed down and you could wreck your headset. Do you have a photo??

I had this once and used plumbers tape and it was snug. I would NEVER do that to someone else's bike but have been absolutely fine for years

Did the same myself with a blob of araldite . Worked fine after that .

It sits flush to the fork crown - so it wouldn't be able to go any further down - its just that you can lift it up easily, but there's no side to side play so I'm sure it's the right size. Just might be that the race was stretched a touch, or maybe that the steerer is a bit worn?

Yep I could spin mine but it was flush.

I used tape the last time I had this, no any problems in use.

From the sounds of it electrical tape seems to be the cure. What's the cost of a new crown race??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150mm-ELECTRONIC-DIGITAL-CALIPERS-VERNIER-WITH-LCD-INC-HARD-CASE-/400748152930

i was informed only last week a shimano 600 headset wouldn't work on my frame / forks due to slight difference in diameters / measurements

what fork / headset combo are you using ?

You can also use a coke can shim if you're feeling fruity

Stake the crown race seat on the steerer: take a centre punch and hammer, go round the steerer and bop the side of the area where the crown race will fit at regular intervals (maybe 12 all the way round). This creates a small depression surrounded by a raised ridge. This ridge effectively increases the diameter of the crown race to create the interference fit. I did this after the cutting tool I was using milled the steerer down just slightly too small. I've put at least a thousand miles onto that headset (Tange Levin) and it's not given me any problems.

Stake the crown race seat on the steerer: take a centre punch and hammer, go round the steerer and bop the side of the area where the crown race will fit at regular intervals (maybe 12 all the way round). This creates a small depression surrounded by a raised ridge. This ridge effectively increases the diameter of the crown race to create the interference fit. I did this after the cutting tool a was using milled the steerer down just slightly too small. I've put at least a thousand miles onto that headset (Tange Levin) and it's not given me any problems.

What I was going to suggest as I read down the thread. Works well.

Ended up just getting a new headset, it's a lot cheaper than I thought and the one in the bike was original (c. late 80s) anyway so was probably due for a change! Thanks for the tips though!