Re-cutting/Boring out a stem! Is this possible ??

[Ian Raleigh]

Hi Guys,

I've got myself a replacement shimano 600ax stem which has a 25.4mm handlebar clamp size
but then realised that the old stem is 26mm clamp size, so the 25.4mm stem does not fit.

Is it possible to re-cut/bore out the stem to 26mm so it will fit the bars ?

This is the stem by the way..

http://www.velobase.com/ViewComponent.a ... AbsPos=152

There are no 110mm 26mm stems anywhere.

If this is not possible then I might see if I can return the stem back to the seller.

Thanks in advance and ''HELP''

Ian.

 

[Ian Raleigh]

Only looking at option!

could a lathe be used to enlarge the hole ?

What if I filled the hole with hard wood then used the below tool to drill a 26mm hole ??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hole-Saw-Hole ... 1e77504057

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Silverlin ... 337da2bfde

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

Those hole saws are a bit rough and ready. Can't you ask a small local engineering shop to take a look?

 

[stewlewis]

Small flap wheel on a drill.

Keep your balls peeled on the colour changes in the stem to keep it centred, take it easy, bit at a time, trying the bars.

Ghetto heaven.

 

[HawkMA750]

thats what I have an adjustable Reamer for in the Range 25-28mm. Helps for Stems was well as Seattubes...

 

[Ian Raleigh]

Thanks for the tips, Thought about a flap wheel too!

This engineering firm is just a mile away from me, so will pay them a visit.

http://www.highline-precision.co.uk/?page_id=15

 

[torqueless]

Gently now- only with a one inch radius half-round file, and only if you can keep it flat against the surface you are filing. Probably good to have a handle on the file, too.. and this:

take it easy, bit at a time, trying the bars.

 

[curyam]

Wouldn't it be easier to just find a new set of bars?

 

[originalshinkicker]

25.4 to 26 may not sound much but it is. If you enlarge the inner diameter with any kind of file/drill/reamer all you will end up doing is removing the serrated surface on the inside of the front of the stem that provides grip. You will also still have an internal wedge that fits a 25.4 so the wedge will not have full surface contact with the bars. The edges of the wedge will contact the bars and not the middle. That will put stress on the bars at those 2 points. All that will end up happening is less grip and stressed bars, meaning that the bars will rotate and possibly worse. Enclosed stems like this are known for slipping anyway.

 

[mattsccm]

"Enclosed stems like this are known for slipping anyway."
New one on me. don't recall that happening on dozens of bikes over 40+ years.
Anyway filing can work assuming that you are good enough to take that .3 radius off evenly. I'd be swapping bars or selling the stem . easier.