Head stem racer removal

If the fit is pretty snug you may want to try one of these products:

www.useloctite.com/products/product_details_retainingd119.php

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I think I will try Ed's idea. first to see how that works. I can check it after my shake down ride (150 mi round trip) and again after a my relay ride to Panama City (550 mi round trip) to see if it broke loose or not. I would like to try the center punch option but am scared that it will displace a dimple to the outside of the stem diameter, instead of displacing the metal toward the inside diameter. JBWeld is a good option, but if I have to get a new frame, I don't want to destroy the shell trying to get it out of this one. Here is a short clip of the shell in the head stem. It spins just as easy as you see it move up and down.

Make sure it is tight no matter which method you use. The high speed wobbles caused by loose bearings will make you shit your pants, and if the bearing is the least bit loose it WILL happen. Never compromise safety.

JB weld would probably work since it is powdered steel and glue. Once in I would not worry about removing them, They will out last the bike if maintained regularly.

650ed wrote: If the fit is pretty snug you may want to try one of these products:

www.useloctite.com/products/product_details_retainingd119.php

Thats it! Loctite Red Retaining!
This stuff locks everything solid and permanent.
You can find a little tiny 1/2 oz. tube at any big name auto parts store like NAPA.
Because it is expensive

Kawickrice wrote: Make sure it is tight no matter which method you use. The high speed wobbles caused by loose bearings will make you shit your pants, and if the bearing is the least bit loose it WILL happen. Never compromise safety.

JB weld would probably work since it is powdered steel and glue. Once in I would not worry about removing them, They will out last the bike if maintained regularly.

Well, after having already experienced the Death Wobble at 130 mph on my 74' Z I, you hit the right nerve Kawickrice. So I plan on using the Loctite 635 or 638 since they have a high shear strength (4500 I assume psi). JBWeld has 3960 psi tensile strength. I think I need to be more aware of shear strength as opposed to the tensile strength for my application. Not sure which product has the higher shear since I could not find the shear strength of JBWeld. Don't want to over analyze it, in the end I think both would work well.

After waffling all day on which direction to go on this, I finally took your advice Leon and tried the center punch method. Don't know why I was thinking there could be a possibility of dimpling the outside diameter, I guess I was reverting back to my bicycle days with regards to wall thickness :blink: The punch worked like a charm! Afterwards, I used the old racer (after grinding it down a bit) to drive the new shell home. It felt like it offered good resistance when driving it in. So I'm satisfied. No more movement. I will check it after the relay to make sure. And the Loctite option is always available if the need arises. Thanks for all the help guys.

glad you got it worked out joe.

i believe any of the loctites are a good choice aswell.

leon