vintage peugeot uo-18 headset problems

[liang]

hi everyone!

i currently have a vintage peugeot uo-18, and i think the ball bearings in the headset are loose because my fork is wobbling! i'm fairly new to fixing vintage bikes (it was even very difficult to find the correctly threaded bottom bracket for this frame!) and was wondering if i would need a rare sort of headset that wouldn't be offered at my LBS? should i try to find an actual vintage shop near my area?

ALSO!
I'm thinking of powdercoating the frame - but getting the bottom bracket in was so difficult, that the maintenance guy said it'd probably never come out again. do you think it'd be okay to leave the bb in while powdercoating?

[DebW]

Yes, it might take a French headset. See

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/french.html#headsets

Have you tried adjusting the headset? It might just be loose. You'd need two 32 mm headset wrenches, or one 32 mm and a 12 inch crescent wrench. Ideally, you should disassemble, inspect, and regrease the headset before adjusting it.

[Sky King]

Wondering about the powdercoating and value? we powdercoated a vintage free agent bmx bike and when we sold it two different collectors commented that it would have been worth more if we hadn't painted it. But if that isn't a concern than do remove the BB before painting or it probably will never come out again :)

[BC2COCyclist]

Hey, make sure your bike doesn't have the AVA stem AKA The AVA Stem of Doom...my 08 or whatever the heck Peugeot I have has that stem and when DH starts refurbishing it, he's going to switch it out. Apparently they are notorious for failing or something.