| Though we have our cars and motorcycles, there is | | | | entire stem. Never overlook this point. |
| nothing like going on an early morning ride on our | | | | 7. Once you have removed all the bolts, you just need |
| bicycle or a relaxing ride in the evening. If our bicycle | | | | to pull off the handlebar stem off the steer tube. While |
| needs some minor repairs and replacements, we can | | | | pulling it off, you will be able to pull it out easily if you do |
| easily do it ourselves, as they are often not very | | | | not pull it at an angle but at 180 degrees to the steer |
| complicated. One such thing is replacing the handlebar | | | | tube. |
| stem. In normal circumstances when the bolts are in | | | | 8. Once you have removed the old handlebar stem, |
| good condition, it should take you less then 15 minutes | | | | you need to fix the new handlebar stem. While fixing |
| to remove the old handlebar stem and to replace the | | | | the new handlebar stem start with the bolt at the back |
| new one. | | | | first. This will keep the handlebar stem in place as you |
| Here are some step-by-step instructions and tips to | | | | fix the handlebar to the handlebar stem. |
| replace your handlebar stem: | | | | 9. Place the handlebar in position and place the |
| 1. First of all, you must buy the right stem for your | | | | faceplate aligning the holes properly so that the bolts |
| requirement. You can get stems of varied lengths and | | | | can get into them without any difficulty. |
| they range between 35 and 135 millimeters. While | | | | 10. Some of the handlebars come with markings for |
| buying the stem for your handlebars you must go with | | | | perfect adjustments. So pay attention to those |
| the right measurement of your steer tube so that you | | | | markings. |
| do not have to run for an exchange. | | | | 11. After placing the handlebar in position start tightening |
| 2. Remove the headset's top cap. | | | | the 4 five millimeter bolts on the faceplate. While |
| 3. Removing the pre load bolt, this is a 4-millimeter bolt. | | | | tightening you should remember not to tighten each |
| The pre load bolt is what helps you in adjusting the | | | | bolt all the way, before you tightened the next one. All |
| headset. | | | | the four bolts should be tightened evenly to avoid |
| 4. You will find totally 5 five millimeter bolts that fasten | | | | problems later. Normally the diagonally opposite bolts |
| the faceplate to the steer tube. There are four in front | | | | are tightened in alternating pattern. This something, |
| and one at the back of the faceplate. | | | | which you should not overlooked. |
| 5. Remove the four bolts that are in front first and | | | | 12. Now recheck whether your handlebar positioning |
| loosen the one at the back. | | | | requires any minor adjustments and do the necessary |
| 6. Remember to keep all the bolts, headset top cap all | | | | adjustments before you tighten all the four bolts |
| in one place because you don't want to start hunting | | | | completely. After adjusting, tighten the pre load bolt |
| for those and spend 40 minutes in the search | | | | and replace the headset cap. |
| whereas it would take hardly 15 minutes to replace the | | | | |