is there a way to tell if stem will press out?

[BadBatzMaru]

other than actually trying and breaking the thing?? I have a 91 lower and stem and want the stem out to press into my 89 gsxr lower... I was previously under the impression that the 1989 gsxrs would be a direct bolt on upgrade (from reading something on pablo's website and from the guy who sold me this front end..)  :x  I thought I was buying a front end off of a GS that would bolt right up but I'm finding out now that the stem is too long and I need to use a GS stem I guess... anybody have and suggestions or a stem??? am I just missing something here? thanks for your help, as always kind GSrs....

[dgyver]

If it is pressed-in...on the bottom of the stem there will be a retaining ring to keep the stem from pulling up as the nut is tightened. The stem would have to be pressed from the threaded end towards the lower triple. This is the way it was when I did the SV/GSXR front end swap.

Check the diameters of the 2 stems to make sure they will fit. I had to take mine to a machine shop at work since I do not have a hydraulic press at home. Do not try to remove it with a hammer.

[octane]

Some GS stems are welded, some are pressed. Mine was welded and you CANNOT press out a welded stem. I ground the weld out and everything, but all I ended up doing was crushing the top of the stem. Like dgyver said, look for a retaining clip...or a weld bead.

[BadBatzMaru]

yeah both are 30mm. diameters are same. I can't really tell if there's a ring there though.... there is small gap between the stem and lower so it looks like a pressed in stem... but if the dont press it they must weld it, right?? and if they weld it, where would I find the welds? on the top or bottom of lower?? (cant see top cause race is stuck there...) I'm hoping its a press in... already had reknelb help me to press in the gsxr stem cause I thought it was gonna fit   so now I need to press two out     and one back in the other...

[octane]

...and the guy didn't exactly LIE to you - but he didn't tell you the whole truth. Some people use the GSXR stem and use a bushing to take up the slack at the top of the stem. Personally I don't think that's the right way to do it, but it's been done. The old gixxer stems are the same width as the GS, so the head bearings work with either stem. '95 and later stems are fatter and don't work.l

[BadBatzMaru]

oh I should clarify, small gap when looking from the bottom of the triple is around the perimeter of the stem where I would suspect the retaining ring would be....

[BadBatzMaru]

yeah that part I knew about the fatter stems and diameter.. but I did ask if i could just bolt this setup up... and the response I got was yes...  but I found that it wasnt a 100% complete setup anyway... nonetheless I'm stuck w/ it and I don't mind, just wanna get it to work.

Also there is a tab on the GS frame (the one that hits one of the two tabs on the lower to stop the front from turning)... on the GSXR lower there is a tab sticking up off the lower directly underneath this and I can see that this will be a problem.. either the frame tab or the lower tab would need to be ground down... any suggestions on that??

[octane]

I ran into the same problem with the steering stop - I ground down the stops on the lower GSXR triple. You can also whack the tab of the frame neck. Either way will work. The disadvantage of this is that your ignition lock will no longer lock the wheel when you park it - and your clip ons may contact the frame at full turn. It won't affect you when you're riding.

Sounds like you have a press in - that gap is the ring groove. Try to find the break in the ring clip and use needle nose pliers (assuming you don't have a c-clip tool) to spread it and drop it out. On a welded stem the weld bead is on the bottom all the way around the lower part of the stem. A machine shop probably wouldn't charge you too much to remove the clip and press the stem out - might be worth saving your sanity.

[Reknelb]

They don't even have to remove the ring to press the stem out. That's just there to prevent the stem from being sucked in too far when pressing the stem in and when tightening the top triple nuts. (as mentioned above) If you cant find anyone local to do it. Send me the stuff again and I'll switch everything up for you.

[BadBatzMaru]

thank you thank you thank you. I will seek out someone local... hopefully wont cost too much, will let you know if I need to send em again...

[BadBatzMaru]

:mrgreen: YES! :mrgreen: found a hydraulic press... and popped that sucker out. everything swapped and almost ready to go... but I need to fab some kind of bushing. GS stem measures 18mm diameter at the top but the gsxr top triple stem hole measures ~21.6mm. Also looks like the stem bolt wont tighten far enough down so a much thicker washer will be necessary.
What kind of material should I use for a bushing? will aluminum be strong enough? and is there any problem using a couple of thick washers as opposed to making a spacer??
thanks