I've had this happen before. I removed the front wheel and brake and bars. Turned it upside down and shot some PB Blaster into the steering tube and let it sit for quite a while. Turned it back over and loosened the headset lock nut and shot some more around the area where the adjustable nut meets the stem and let it sit. Loosened the stem bolt and removed it and shot some more into the hole. Replaced the stem bolt with about 1/4" still showing above the top of the stem and let it sit. Then, supporting the frame, begin to tap on the stem bolt. If no success after 5-10 minutes, repeat the entire process and eventually the penetrating oil will work it's way in between the steering tube and the stem and between the wedge at the bottom.
If the stem has been inserted into the steering tube so far that the wedge is jammed into the tapered part (the butted section) this may be more difficult. The frame may have to be turned upside down and a drift punch or piece of rebar inserted into the steering tube hole at the fork crown and tapped with a hammer to loosen. If all else fails I expect that mechanical methods would be required to get it out of there with variable results and risk of damaging something. On Monday, March 20, 2017 at 10:15:00 AM UTC-5, Ryan Fleming wrote: > > Which, if the stem can't be removed could impact the price and/or be a > deal-breaker for some. Awfully nice bike but too bad about the stuck stem. > I guess there are drastic ways to remove it...penetrating oil? What do you > do for a stuck stem? > > On Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 2:42:51 PM UTC-5, Bill Lindsay wrote: >> >> Hi Eric >> >> What's your saddle height in the photos? >> >> Regarding the stuck stem, you indicated that it will take 'some >> persuasion' and that you've taken it to the shop. What exactly does that >> mean? Does that mean a shop worked on it for a long time and gave up? >> Does that mean that the shop inspected it and said "yeah it's stuck" but >> you decided not to bother for now? >> >> Bill >> >> On Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 9:45:30 PM UTC-7, Eric Norris wrote: >>> >>> Speaking of selling bikes … reminder that I’m trying to find a new home >>> for this very pretty Rivendell: >>> >>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/campyonlyguy/albums/72157681347310655 >>> >>> Asking $1,450 shipped, but what the heck … make me a reasonable offer >>> and I’ll probably take it. >>> >>> --Eric Norris >>> [email protected] >>> @CampyOnlyguy (Twitter/Instagram) >>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
