Obscure question – old dmr sidekick

On my other thread I was thinking I’ve used the wrong crown race,  however having taken it apart it seems it’s actually the lower bearing moving the frame.

its a sidekick 2 from 2008, like this one> tries to put link to pink bike that’s not working for some reason.

thinking somehow I might have cocked up.  Looking at pictures some have an external cup, a fsa pig, and some have an Internal headset which is how I think mine was.  All the parts were zip tie to the frame so I assumed they were the right ones, but now thinking I’ve done something daft.

so for any one for old school knowledge, could these frames run withexternal or internal headset?  Have I somehow removed the headset and then just zip tied the wrong internal headset to it about a decade ago??

anyone know the specs I need to buy replacement bearings / crown race?

I’m tempted to just buy a fsa pig and fit it, but concerned it might mean the steerer on the forks is too short as they have a 3cm stack height

They are standard 1 1/8 headsets as far as i am aware*

There should be a cup there os no danger you would even remotely get a bearing inside the headtube? Take a photo you arenot bing clear about whats going on have you just put a bearing loose on he frame?!

* I have one.

Ive fitted an internal fsa 1 1/8 headset. both the bearings sit in the frame no cups.

ive found one picture on pink bike of thr same bike with an internal headset.

just been looking at fsas specs and ive not put a spacer on the compression ring so just going to try that.

ill try to post a pic, last time i did it took me ages of faffing…

well it seems a small space above the top compression ring was what was missing. seems tight in the workshop now. will have to test it tomorrow.

then ive got to work out how to get the air out of old school lx brakes!