HotRodGirl

[RatRod Diva]

Hey Rob I'm going to follow Gerry's example here and not clog up your thread with my questions. I will say that I'm thrilled there is another girls bike in the contest (I think that makes 3) and I'm sure it will be great. I really am looking forward to seeing what you do with her and good luck!

[onelesspedestrian]

Yeah, Nice starting point, I like those peaked fenders. I did a ladies CCM last year myself.http://ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=18603

[HotRodRob]

Yeah, Nice starting point, I like those peaked fenders. I did a ladies CCM last year myself.http://ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=18603

I remember that build, it was a good one, sorry I stole your title. It must have stuck in my subliminal.

[onelesspedestrian]

That's totally fine with me.

This time around I am building a Rat-Fink themed Roadmaster...(amongst a couple others of both those categories)... but I don't see anything wrong with any of that. There are so many ways to build that even "the same" comes out vastly different. I'll be interested to see where yours goes, and whatever level of tribute, if any, comes as an honour.

[HotRodRob]

Well I managed to have some time today with my partner to dismantle the bike and start striping the paint. Having trouble getting the stem out of the fork. I don't want to wreck that fork cause ccm womans ballooner forks are impossible to find, especially with a 10 1/4" steer tube I guess we'll let it soak with wd40 over night and try again tomorrow. Thats enough for today though since the rain forced us inside.

[icyuod2]

thats one serious looking partner in crime. i don't advise disagreeing with her.

too cool rob, keep us posted.

is that a sanding flap wheel on the drill? might wanna give a wire wheel a try. strips the paint real quick without removing metal.

[HotRodRob]

Ya , for the most part I was using the wire wheel. Had those flapper wheels sittin around so I had her give them a go. Sure gets rid of the paint fast though. And ya, she gives a little attitude when you try takin the drill away from her

thats one serious looking partner in crime. i don't advise disagreeing with her.

too cool rob, keep us posted.

is that a sanding flap wheel on the drill? might wanna give a wire wheel a try. strips the paint real quick without removing metal.

[onelesspedestrian]

Having trouble getting the stem out of the fork. I don't want to wreck that fork cause ccm womans ballooner forks are impossible to find, especially with a 10 1/4" steer tube I guess we'll let it soak with wd40 over night and try again tomorrow.

have you hammered down on the stem bolt real good? on my buildoff bike this year I got the stem free of its wedge, which I abandoned down in the fork, and after I got the stem off, I got the wedge out by means of a big punch. To be fair, my fork was trash, so we went at 'er like nobody's business. I also used heat on it, which seemed to help.

[icyuod2]

that will have one of those stupid old style wedged stem's.

it doesn't have the wedge on the side, insted the stem is split it the middle and the wedge prys it open.

problem is, it flairs out the bottom of the stem and sometimes flares, even bursts the fork tube making it a larger diameter and a p.i.t.a to get the stem out.

loosen the bolt as much as possible, them hammer it down to ensure the wedge is outta the way.
next get some leverage on the forks. i advise screwing 2 pieces of 2x4 on both side of the cross brace so ya dont bend em.

then twist like theres no tomorrow (forks/bars) pulling up all the while. treat it like its threaded till ya work it all the way out.
hth

[HotRodRob]

Having trouble getting the stem out of the fork. I don't want to wreck that fork cause ccm womans ballooner forks are impossible to find, especially with a 10 1/4" steer tube I guess we'll let it soak with wd40 over night and try again tomorrow.

have you hammered down on the stem bolt real good? on my buildoff bike this year I got the stem free of its wedge, which I abandoned down in the fork, and after I got the stem off, I got the wedge out by means of a big punch. To be fair, my fork was trash, so we went at 'er like nobody's business. I also used heat on it, which seemed to help.

The wedge actually broke free ok, it's the aluminum stem in the steel steer tube that is stuck. I wire wheeled the top where I could see the corrosion and it is clean but must be corroded inside. I guess I'll cross my fingers for tomorrow.

[HotRodRob]

that will have one of those stupid old style wedged stem's.

it doesn't have the wedge on the side, insted the stem is split it the middle and the wedge prys it open.

problem is, it flairs out the bottom of the stem and sometimes flares, even bursts the fork tube making it a larger diameter and a p.i.t.a to get the stem out.

loosen the bolt as much as possible, them hammer it down to ensure the wedge is outta the way.
next get some leverage on the forks. i advise screwing 2 pieces of 2x4 on both side of the cross brace so ya dont bend em.

then twist like theres no tomorrow (forks/bars) pulling up all the while. treat it like its threaded till ya work it all the way out.
hth

Thanks for the tip Leigh. I'll do my best in the morning, as long as it's not pouring out.

[icyuod2]

sorry bout the sketch


so those old stems have a split on the bottom. and a wedge thats driven in to the middle.

when there reefed on, they often flare the fork tupe as well (2nd doodle)

thats probably what your dealing with.
now even though the wedge let loose it could be the wedge is still in place (ie the bolt snaps just above the wedge) if you dont remove it, your task will be impossible (or next too)

now if your bolt did snap above the wedge (which it usually does) that bolt won't be long enough to remove the wedge.

remove the bolt, take a metal dowel/really long screw driver and ensure that wedge is removed (hammer down through the bolt hole, when it lets loose it will just fall to the bottom of the fork tube.)

the rest is just a battle of will.
you gotta pull hard enough to force the stem through the fork tube compressing the flared end back to its original diameter.

i assure you, it won't be easy, but it is do'able.

i'd be willing to bet cash, this is the case with your ccm (ontop of the corrosion)

[onelesspedestrian]

yikes! that's aluminum? COOL. that's a nice stem, hope you can keep it intact. you have a while yet to let 'er soak before the deadline

[HotRodRob]

Ya ,I have a few like that but never had an issue with them. I guess thats what I get for a barn fresh 61 year old bike eh?

[xddorox]

Don't you just love that industrial looking bearing cup?