Totally Buggered

I worked up the courage to tackle the headset on the Schwinn, you know, because of the squeaks I meantioned, or rather, didn't.

Now it is TOTALLY buggered up! One of the wrenches slipped and rounded the flats on the top race in the locknut loosening phase. I put the wheel back on so as to have something brace the fork with, knee-wise. After getting the locknut and assorted spacers off, I proceeded to unscrew the top race. No go. A few turns up the steering tube it pretty much jammed, especially with the rounded flats. Probably the steering tube has been distorted by tighting the bolt/wedge on the stem.

Now the flats are TOTALLY buggered!

I guess I will have to saw off the stem, buy a NEW FORK, buy a NEW HEADSET, and either talk Steve. the L. into showing me how (and loaning some tools), or paying a shop to do it.

(cilcky on picture to see large one at flickr, plus one with flash!)

I found a connecting rod from an automobile engine. I shall have to take a picture of THAT, it is also TOTALLY buggered. But I didn't do THAT!

And later, here it is!

(Click on the image to see more at flickr)

I don't know how that got so beat up, it looks at lot worse than just be ran over a few thousand times! That steel is seriously BENT!