Older LeMond Alum Frame weird HS ?

[clyde the point]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49969745146_7ded384718_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8E1j7)IMG_1841 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8E1j7) by Clyde the Pointer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/148750154@N02/), on Flickr

This bike has a compressible piece of rubber that appears to go on the fork crown prior to the lower race. It was very difficult to get a good HS adjustment so I left it off and drove the metal race onto the fork crown. Bad idea since it doesn't allow proper adjustment and I will have a time removing it. Anyone seen this? Ideas about it's function? It is the blue painted piece between the bottom cup and fork crown. Thanks.

[oldpotatoe]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49969745146_7ded384718_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8E1j7)IMG_1841 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8E1j7) by Clyde the Pointer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/148750154@N02/), on Flickr

This bike has a compressible piece of rubber that appears to go on the fork crown prior to the lower race. It was very difficult to get a good HS adjustment so I left it off and drove the metal race onto the fork crown. Bad idea since it doesn't allow proper adjustment and I will have a time removing it. Anyone seen this? Ideas about it's function? It is the blue painted piece between the bottom cup and fork crown. Thanks.

Not surprised you couldn't adjust w/o the fork crown race secure on the fork crown race seat on the fork. But now, can't get the proper adjust? I wonder if the fork crown race isn't the correct one for that headset. Maybe somebody's weird idea of front suspension(?)..

I'd say it's new headset time...

[dougefresh]

That rubber spacer needs to be removed, it's not part of the headset.

Trek uses those to keep the frame and fork together during painting in order to do it all at once as well as act as a paint mask for where the race sits.

Potato may be right that the race isn't the correct on for that HS. Is there a bearing in the lower cup?

[clyde the point]

Yes in lower cup bearing.
I ordered a new HS cause maybe the crown race is hard to find-old stock.