recently purchased the biggest lemon on ebay. Californian with nothing original but the frame and maybe post clamp. Here's the question

the fork is not tightin the frame , king of like it is missing some bearings or the fork is undersized for the tube. What parts if any go in the "headset"? I am getting the correct fork for the bike though. I'm also trying to find a neck

Yeh you got forked on that!!!! Try a new head set and check the bearing cups for excess wear they may need to be replaced also. Good luck! You can also take it to a local bike shop and have them diagnose it.

thanks jones, forked is right

Well, first make sure your fork has the top flange piece on it (just below the treads), they are usually tac welded but can come loose or off. Sorry to hear about your purchase, can you post the ebay link. I want to take a look.

How is the Frame, are the chrome and decals decent.

I'll put the pics right here
The chrome is only ok , no decals but it got some from bill
I figured I could use the frame and seat post, sell the wheels (both different )
Get a new neck and maybe use the bars.
Need the brake set up

I'm no Mongoose pro, but those forks look like something other than Mongoose.

Anyone confirm that?

they're totally not mongoose. Don't know whose they are. They have a small ringlet cable holder attached to them. Maybe when I remove them there will be a marking on em.