I know the top does sit last the neck edge I will deff have to look on the bottom it might almost just sit flush and that would make it hard to turn...could I get away with a washer in there if it is not right?

 

Does the stop look like it has been rubbing on the bottom of the neck? If your not sure then slap it back together without the tubes and tighten it up and move it back and forth to see what kind of clearance you have at the top and bottom. Mainly between the dust cap on top and the top of the neck and the steering stop on bottom and the bottom of the neck.

 

Yep now that ya mention it man it was grooved some and the lower bearing does sit level inside the neck but the top sits above the neck. I will run and get a washer to put in between the bearing and the lower track cap on the tree. This should solve it! Thanks Ghost for your assistance!

 

FIXED! 65 cent machine washer from local hardware store did the trick on the lower bearing. Sits perfect on the bearing and around the stem. I stacked two washers but 1 would have worked I bet. Got her torqued to 50 lbs and have smooth steering and most of all the side to side walking I felt at 35-40 mph is gone and I can finally ride safely again.

Thank you all for your great help with this you guys saved me a big repair bill! Here is a pic with the old bearing and the washer I used and the gap at the bottom of the neck now. I'm tempted to put one up top too just for good measure but it's so fun taking it all apart

I might take one of the two washer out from the bottom and then add one up top the more I think about it. Eitherway it's fixed!

 

Glad you got it lined out.

 

Thanks ghost for your help with this. Crazy how a simple 65 cent washer makes a worlds difference.

 

Glad you got it all sorted! I'd still replace the races at some point and seat them correctly, but it could probably wait til winter. Now get out and ride!

 

Thanks John! Got her all torque down too the right way and used red locktight on her at 45 lbs. Its like a new bike and I rode all day. Do you think I really need to seat that lower race higher someday? Its set just a tad low and the washer trick worked so well. That gaps is not that big and I could get away with only one washer not the two and that would close that gap even more. Up top I left it alone no washer.

 

If it was me, I would want to eventually have it set up proper, but if the washer is workin out for ya, then it can wait till winter for sure! I would try to run only one washer on the bottom though, from the pics the gap looks a tad big, and you'll probably either loose a lot of grease, or not be able to completely fill the neck (gravity and what not). But alas! Those be minor issues! It runs and feels stable, enjoy it for the rest of the summer and fix it in the winter when you're bored! Cheers!

 

I'm glad that you hung in there and got her fixed instead of giving up and selling CSS. Enjoy your riding!