Spring loaded headset?

[bikenut]

I wonder if anyone has ever come across a spring loaded headset. I just bought a Motobecane Grand Jubile and when I turn the handle bars it snaps into set positions. I assume it is spring loaded to do that. I've never seen anything like it and was wondering what the benefit is. I'm also about to refurbish the bike and I'm afraid of what I'm going to find if I take the headset and fork off.

Thanks!

[Painkiller]

post some pics of your headset area may help, but it sounds like bearing or race damage

[xerxes]

Sounds like a worn headset. With the ball and cage bearings, over time the ball bearings wear little indentadions into the cups, most pronounced with the bars in the centre position. You should replace the headset if this is the case.

See the part about Indexed Steering here: http://sheldonbrown.com/headsets.html

[Bill]

+1 to Pk's and Xeres posts. Also have seen this on over tightened caged bearings in the headset and bottom bracket bearings.