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Post by Lycan on Apr 21, 2013 20:55:31 GMT -6
Hey guys, tearing my bike apart today I found my steering stem bent like a dog Dick. Anybody got a tutorial on straightening and lengthening?
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Post by MudBug on Apr 21, 2013 21:03:14 GMT -6
Josh did a super clean job extending his. Not sure where he made his cuts at but I'm sure he can write something up when he has some free time.
Sent from my ADR6400L using proboards
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Post by YamaHauler on Apr 21, 2013 21:43:08 GMT -6
where is it bent at?
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Post by sparky on Apr 21, 2013 22:37:45 GMT -6
It's easy. You need two stems a good one and the other just needs one straight end. Cut the good one three inches from the lower or upper welded point on the stem. On the bad one, cut 3+ whatever stretch you want. 3+2" stretch= 5" up from the weld ect......
Bevel each piece slightly with a grinder. This allows for a good root pass when welding. Put a piece of angle iron in your vise. Lay the the two pieces into the angle iron and clamp. Now take a level and lay across the handlebar end and level it with the widest part horizontal, clamp tight. Take the lower section and butt it up to the upper with the tie rod end up. Lay a level across the top of the tie rod mount, level it, clamp tight. The angle iron will keep the shaft straight, the levels keep the upper and lower sections as close to in line as possible. Tack four places to minimize warpage. Weld it up good. If you have a bore scope send it down the shaft and inspect the weld from the inside. The best I can do from the ship. I'll be doing one when I get home for S&Gs maybe I can remember to take pics.
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Post by Lycan on Apr 22, 2013 4:33:10 GMT -6
Ed, it's bent right above the upper clamp, I suspect a rollover. Josh, thanks, I'll see if I can dig up another stem. I might have one from a blaster.
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Post by sparky on Apr 22, 2013 4:52:15 GMT -6
I think MS has a straight top section.
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Post by MudBug on Apr 22, 2013 6:57:57 GMT -6
I think MS has a straight top section. Nope that's the part that was bent out of the section I sent you. Sent from my ADR6400L using proboards
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Post by 94warpig on Apr 22, 2013 7:04:54 GMT -6
I'm currently dealing with the same issue. Someone must have rolled it long ago.
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Post by sparky on Apr 22, 2013 8:20:54 GMT -6
I do have a good one. I could stretch it and send it I guess.
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Post by Lycan on Apr 22, 2013 10:36:33 GMT -6
Thanks Josh, I'll get it straight though, no need for you to go through that trouble. You didn't slug it with anything where you welded it together?
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Post by sparky on Apr 22, 2013 10:50:11 GMT -6
I don't feel there is a need. There is only a twisting force on the shaft. Where the weak link is your tie rods. You could slug it but I really don't see the need.
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Post by gen1pat on Apr 22, 2013 16:54:33 GMT -6
Just get a 2' length of 1.25"x.120" wall DOM. Cut the center of the stem out, and leave about 1.5" of pipe at either end to weld the DOM to. Cut the DOM to the length you want your stem to be.
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Post by 94warpig on Apr 22, 2013 17:35:54 GMT -6
I think I'm going to put mine in a shop press and try to get it straight.
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Post by sparky on Apr 22, 2013 21:00:53 GMT -6
Pat the only disagreement I have is now you have two new welds instead of one. I'm sure your way will work good too though.
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Post by gen1pat on Apr 23, 2013 7:45:40 GMT -6
It's how I did mine. Turned out great. I burned it in there really good. I did a second pass over the first weld I made. Not going to go anywhere. I really had no choice because I didn't have another stem, and mine was far too bent to (A) straighten, (B) cut out only the bent section. Besides, if my a arms can take the abuse of jumps, woops, hills, logs, stumps, ruts, etc... I think a lowly steering stem can handle left to right sweeps. lol. Next stem I do is an anti-vibe with the clamps I got from Alex.
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