Kim Carney wrote:
> Are keyed washers always used between the race and the locknut of
> both the upper and lower portion of the headset?
No. If you have a short steer tube you can leave the washer out to get
another couple millimeters of thread engagement on the locknut.
> What would happen if they were not used.
Not much. The washer just prevents the threaded race from moving when you tighten the locknut, which helps preserve the bearing adjustment as you tighten the locknut. But you can accomplish the same thing by holding the adjustable race with another wrench as you tighten the locknut.
--
John Thompson (john@os2.dhs.org)
Appleton WI USA