A cheap DIY crack reveal is to soak some paraffin around area and clean it off with a solvent ...throw some talc around the area and it should show up where the paraffin is still weping out the crack Have to say it still looks like a chisel mark where someone tried tapping or levering up the race t...

qcnr wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 11:37 am They are not going to 'heal' themselves.... No matter how they appeared.

No, it's not a rare magic stem At least not as far as I'm aware.... that's why I've now got hold of a replacement

I cannot understand why the "cracks " are so open yet there appears to be NO deformation of the stem (alignment) that would cause them to open, and no hairline cracks either side which you would expect. To me they just look like nicks from a cutting disc. However, replacement is the best ...

It's odd, really looks like someone use something to knock/pry up the old race from below to remove it and went into the steerer don't see how it would tear in that place and it isnt a crack As mentioned, I'm the only person who has changed the bearings since the bike was new, so I can say with 100...

Yes, I'd like to know as well. What brought you to change the bearings. Were they notched and if so was it straight ahead or a bit to the left. The first time I changed the bearings (at around 33k miles) the bike was still solo - there was typical notchiness evident when turning the bars with the f...

I keep coming back to look at this, are there two cracks oposite each other and slightly offset from the straight ahead position? I'm thinking that the largest load is turning left where the weight is transfered forward and to the right hand side and that appears to be the plane that the damage is ...

Hi Mark, I'm pretty sure that would be from torsional stresses transmitted into the head stock from those long AT forks and a 21" wheel. There were times with mine I just knew I was putting massive loads on the frame. I was down at WASP to look at some options, but without massive reinforcemen...

Thanks for the photos. However, when I said I’d like to see it in the flesh I was referring to the steering stem ! 😀 I look forward to reading of more developments. Good luck. Well, if ever you're in the east Kent area you're welcome to call in and peruse the stem over a coffee - it will probably b...

That looks like a work hardened fracture to me, bin it the material around the crack will be brittle. What are the fork guides like, grab the bottom of the fork and see if it moves in relation to top tube. There are a lot of non design stresses on conventional forks with a sidecar bolted on, I'm su...

The better photo just posted almost looks like the metal has been torn/stretched apart.🤔 Not cut mechanically with a chisel or cutting disc etc. Its an interesting one alright, but there will be an answer. Noteworthy what you have added about extensive sidecar use on poor roads? I’d love to see it ...