the tinker
Cruisin' on my Bluebird
First of all don't do it on a cold [winter] day. Use a 7/8 "ths. open end wrench to tap in.Hold the wrench flat and even so the pressure will be distributed evenly on both sides of the opening.
DO NOT use a screw driver to "pre-open" the stem a bit. This puts too much pressure in one spot on the crown and it will crack. When using something to pry it apart before hand the aluminum casting must be "over" pried, to get it to the correct opening. This is when it breaks. By doing it as outlined above the stem only opens the exact amount to clear the cross brace. The flat wrench distributes the hammer blows .Reverse procedure for removing.
Also this is also the only way I remove grips. Those stubborn Schwinn grips that have welded themselves on to the bars. I place a hunk of tape over the sharp edges of an open end 7/8 wrench, so the chrome don't get scratched. three little taps and it's off, every time.
Notice that the stem shown is almost completely closed. It will only open the minimum amount it has too.
One other thing I have noticed from taking lots of bikes apart. Some fellows put stuff on Waaaaaay too tight. This stuff is old. Gotta go easy on it.
DO NOT use a screw driver to "pre-open" the stem a bit. This puts too much pressure in one spot on the crown and it will crack. When using something to pry it apart before hand the aluminum casting must be "over" pried, to get it to the correct opening. This is when it breaks. By doing it as outlined above the stem only opens the exact amount to clear the cross brace. The flat wrench distributes the hammer blows .Reverse procedure for removing.
Also this is also the only way I remove grips. Those stubborn Schwinn grips that have welded themselves on to the bars. I place a hunk of tape over the sharp edges of an open end 7/8 wrench, so the chrome don't get scratched. three little taps and it's off, every time.
Notice that the stem shown is almost completely closed. It will only open the minimum amount it has too.
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