How to identify pre-war parts? (newbie)

[Durham27707]

Hey friends and cabers, new to the forum and bikes older than my folks. In cleaning up my 36' Elgin I realized the stem was toast.
I'm having trouble knowing where to look or search for a replacement. Somehow half the stems on Ebay seem to be the right age lol. Not looking for perfect but age correct.
Am I just terrible at searching the forum? Any resource suggestions to educate myself appreciated.

 

[Frank and Pam Skid Kings]

Best thing is use "search" upper right hand corner of this page and type in what your looking for. Just start looking at a lot of prewar Elgins and for sale parts to learn what is what. Really no other way then doing a lot of research, but you will find that is fun. Here's a "starter" search for you. I typed in Elgin stems for sale. https://thecabe.com/forum/search/1137731/?q=elgin+prewar+stem+for+sale&o=relevance

 

[New Mexico Brant]

Welcome to the CABE. Please post an image of the one that is "toast" and/or the bicycle. Someone here will point you in the right direction.

 

[Jesper]

Is your stem bad due to damage and its inability to be safely utilized or aesthetics?

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Was the extension stem cracked, or was it just the picture? https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/mystery-elgin.212238/

 

[Durham27707]

Both sides of the expansion part of the stem were sheared off inside the headtube. The biggest thing I'm seeing is that most stuff for sale seems to have a standard bolt unlike the front bolt on my stem.

 

[Freqman1]

Typical '20s/'30s motorbike stem which shouldn't be too difficult/expensive. V/r Shawn

 

[New Mexico Brant]

Post it in the wanted section, you should have one offered in a day or two.

 

[1817cent]

Not a hard part to find. Welcome to the cabe!

 

[Archie Sturmer]

The biggest thing I'm seeing is that most stuff for sale seems to have a standard bolt unlike the front bolt on my stem.

One might save the fastening hardware from the old, for potential use on the new.

Sometimes I add a 5/16” steel flat washer (AN-960) under the head of the wedge bolt for the stem.