Moped STEM rocks

[Melisse]

I have a new Ariel D-class that arrived late fall and due to winter weather was looking to spending time on it only to find the handlebars rock in the stem when braking. The problem seems to be in the stem itself as with or without the handlebars inserted the center moves back and forth. I am wondering if I am missing a part or something. Here is a link to a YouTube video of my stem.

. Any ideas would be most appreciated.

 

[rich c]

I thought you meant it really ROCKS! Like a good thing. LOL

 

[Melisse]

I thought you meant it really ROCKS! Like a good thing. LOL

Not good at all. It moves back and forth and is not stable. Ideas?

 

[fooferdoggie]

use some sissors to cut a pop can into strips insert a wrap of it till it tightens up.

 

[smorgasbord]

Here's a screen grab from Court's review of what it should look like

Did you try assembling the pieces to look like that?

 

[Melisse]

Thanks that helped. I had searched the net and couldn't find a decent closeup. I am back in business with your help. I hope good karma returns to you in exchange.

 

[smorgasbord]

Glad it helped. Just to be sure - you tightened the top nut just a tiny bit more than snug, and THEN tightened the two side bolts below it, right?

 

[Melisse]

Yes, indeed and thanks for checking. I am back in business.

 

[Kayakguy]

Seems you have your issue resolved. I had a very similar problem with my c class. Turned out I needed to add one more spacer (the bike came with one or two extra spacers--glad I didn't toss them) between the stem and the headstock tube. Tightening down the inner vertical bolt loads the upper and lower ball bearings properly, and the wobble goes away.

 

[xerxez]

Everytime i read the title i'm like, "why does it ROCK, that sounds awesome. i want a kick-ass stem too!"