What makes a pro scooter headset?

May 29, 2013

What is a Headset?

A very important part of your pro scooter is your headset. There are two types of headsets that are used in pro scooters. They are either non-integrated, as used in our stinger deck (Lucky Crew Pro Scooter) or Integrated, as used in our Motion deck (Lucky Strata and Clover Pro Scooters).

On a scooter the headset is a set of parts that provide a way for the fork and compression to rotate with in the deck headtube. Inside the two cups are bearings which provide a low friction contact between the bearing cup and the fork steer tube. Normal pro scooter headsets and head tubes are sized for a 1 1/8' diameter. The larger diameter of the head tube and headset gives added stiffness to the steering portion of the pro scooter.

Non Integrated Headset

Non integrated headsets work just like integrated headsets, but will have some extra parts.  The main difference will be that the headset will havea set of cups that will need to be pressed into the head tube of your deck.

 

Integrated Headset

An integrated headset will not have the cups to be pressed into the scooter. For this headset to be used a bearing cup has to be built in to the scooter, as in our Motion deck. If you follow the link to our site you can see the built in cups into the deck.

 

Headset Parts

Here is a graphic showing an exploded view of the two headset types.  Depending on what headset you have, it might look a little different.

Headset Care

A few simple steps for threadless headset care.

1. To check if a scooter headset compression is loose, hold the front wheel of the scooter with your foot so it doesnt move and hold your bar with your hand. Move the scooter back and forth. If you feel any play in compression area, the compression must be tightened.

 

2. If a scooter headset is properly adjusted, but feels gritty or "notchy," the bearings need to be overhauled. Although there are a lot of parts, a headset overhaul is simple. (If you're not confident you can take your shop to a shop for this procedure.) To start, remove clamp, bars and HIC compression and place your scooter into a workstand. Be careful that the fork doesnt drop.

 

Once your work area is set up start taking apart your scooter. Lay the parts you remove on your workbench in the order you took them off, make sure to remembee which way they go back (Take note of which way it's oriented-open side up, or open side down.)

(If you have cartridge bearings, which are less susceptible to grime and don't pit the bearing surfaces, clean and lightly grease them once per year.)

Once this is removed you can see if your bearings need to be cleaned or replaced.

 

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Written By: Eli Montalvo

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