Fork and stem help?

[MaX-D]

I put a new fork, stem, and bars on my Klunker. The stem came with this little doodad. It's all metal. What is the best way to install this so I don't ruin it? Thanks.

 

[Captain Awesome]

 

[RustySprockets]

That little 'doodad' consists of three pieces--a cap, a bolt, and a star-fangled nut. There is a special tool for driving the star nut into the new fork's steerer tube to a specific depth. The cap and bolt are then installed and used to set the pre-load tension of the entire bearing stack.

Here's a vid from Rob Jacobs that shows how to install it without the tool.

 

[RustySprockets]

Sniped again!

 

[Captain Awesome]

Sniped again!

 

[MaX-D]

Thanks everyone for the help. So it probably wouldn't be a good idea to take the bike for a spin tomorrow morning having not yet installed this?

 

[Captain Awesome]

Thanks everyone for the help. So it probably wouldn't be a good idea to take the bike for a spin tomorrow morning having not yet installed this?

So just relying on the 2 stem pinch bolts? Possible, yes......... advisable, no

 

[MaX-D]

I used a 7/16 long socket like he did in the video set down to 15mm. I tightened this up first, snug, then the two bolts on the stem. Easy peasy!

I've got just a hair of play if I push forward on the bars. Is this normal?

 

[Captain Awesome]

I used a 7/16 long socket like he did in the video set down to 15mm. I tightened this up first, snug, then the two bolts on the stem. Easy peasy!

I've got just a hair of play if I push forward on the bars. Is this normal?

View attachment 236758

You should not have any play. Is the stem flush with the top of the steer tube? Or is it slightly recessed from the top of the stem

 

[MaX-D]

You should not have any play. Is the stem flush with the top of the steer tube? Or is it slightly recessed from the top of the stem

The stem is flush with the top of the steer tube.

 

[Captain Awesome]

The stem is flush with the top of the steer tube.

So my first guess is that your tapered stem cap is not sitting tight to the stem and doing its job. You probably need another spacer underneath the stem to raise it up or you will need to trim just a hair off the steer tube. The steer tube should sit just shy of the top of your stem. This gives the stem cap room to compress down and push down onto it as it seats

 

[MaX-D]

So my first guess is that your tapered stem cap is not sitting tight to the stem and doing its job. You probably need another spacer underneath the stem to raise it up or you will need to trim just a hair off the steer tube. The steer tube should sit just shy of the top of your stem. This gives the stem cap room to compress down and push down onto it as it seats

Aaaaah......got it. I'll add a spacer. Thank you for the help!

 

[MaX-D]

I added one spacer and that did the trick. Absolutely no play at all now. Took the bike out for a spin this Morning and within the first twenty feet of the ride I had a smile from ear to ear. This bike is so fun to ride with the new handlebars and fork.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

This bike is so fun to ride with the new handlebars and fork.

I think you owe us a picture...

 

[MaX-D]

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Excellent. I love that frame, want one bad

 

[MaX-D]

What color yellow would you call this and where can I find the same color to repaint the frame?

 

[RustySprockets]

What color yellow would you call this and where can I find the same color to repaint the frame?

Marigold? Caterpillar Yellow? Yellow is a difficult color to match perfectly.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

It's an industrial bike, Safety Yellow might work

 

[MaX-D]

It's an industrial bike, Safety Yellow might workView attachment 237607

Does this need a primer?