Water in a threadless headset?

[nameused]

So as I went to put on new headset spacers today, I pulled the handlebars and stem off and all this water came out. Also the inside of the stem had a little bit of rust from water leaking in or something. Any idea how to prevent this from happening and where it might've leaked in from?

[RobAR]

It's probably from the sweat dripping off of your chin.
On a more serious note... the water can't just come pouring out. Do you mean that the grease was logged or was there condensation from temperature changes? I've never seen a headset that can hold water. More details?

[Bill]

Very true RobAR. I am wandering was it left out in the rain or something like that??

[nameused]

(11-07-2010, 11:05 AM)RobAR Wrote:  It's probably from the sweat dripping off of your chin.
On a more serious note... the water can't just come pouring out. Do you mean that the grease was logged or was there condensation from temperature changes? I've never seen a headset that can hold water. More details?

Well my bike is originally from California, but its been over here in Hawaii for about 6 months, so its probably used to the temperature change. And that's exactly what I thought, I've never seen a headset hold water before.

(11-07-2010, 11:44 AM)Bill Wrote:  Very true RobAR. I am wandering was it left out in the rain or something like that??

Yeah its left outside (can't bring the bike inside where I live). And it had probably rained on and off for like 3 days before I pulled it off.

[JohnnyCO]

Maybe unpreventable. just put the new spacer on and use grease on everything. Coat it well. Try to get your bike out of the elements. Use a tarp or something

[ghost]

In the UK where rain is almost permanent, there are rubber boots that stretch over the headset top and bottom. My friend who rides MTB,s made his from a couple of pieces of inner tube. Just a thought.

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Meant to say use good old waterproof bearing grease as for boat trailers.