KZ650B1 steering stem removal...

What's the best way you guys tackled this? It's for a swap obviously.... The Gixxers are pressed in.

Anyone?!

I've heard others have pressed out the stems, but how they go about doing so is beyond me. I've tried a search but have not come up with any real info.

Maybe this would help:

LINK

Post edited by: rstnick, at: 2006/11/15 15:56

Haha I just finished doing this, talk about timing. first you have to grind the ring of weld off of the bottom where the stem and triple clamp meet, next find something just a bit smller in diameter than the stem, (I used socket) and either beat it out with a BFH :laugh: or find some sort of press. I used an industrial hose crimper because thats what was available. (my father is into heavy woods machinery and does his own repairs)
Scott

How much weld did you have to remove? I've taken off *maybe* 1/8" and it's still pretty solid. :laugh:

I think close to 1/4, just go till you can see the line form then you're through the weld

Got it. Thanks.



I see now why they welded them... once that was ground away the damn thing nearly fell out! :ohmy: :laugh:

they must not have been as accurate with them back then, mine was a bit stiff, I was glad I had some mehcanical help.
according to galaxian, my stem should press into the zx7 stem (cut off at the top of the triple) I tried it, and it didnt want to go(couldnt fit it in the hose crimper for some extra power either) so its sitting in a freezer till I try it again, hopefully it will shrink enough to make a difference, I know it does with other stuff with really tight tolerances....

Heat the clamp when you do this too. Just use a propane torch and give it a few minutes of heat.

You'll be suprised how much of a difference it can make.

You just using a household freezer for the cooling?

caffcruiser wrote:

Heat the clamp when you do this too. Just use a propane torch and give it a few minutes of heat.

You'll be suprised how much of a difference it can make.

I was allready planning on doing that
You just using a household freezer for the cooling?

yes, just the regular deep freeze. a few hrs have made impossible-to-fit pins on some of dads heavy equipment slide right in.

i had to remove quite a bit of weld off my bottom tripple alos to get the stem out of my 1000 tripples. i used a friends hydrolic press to push it out after the weld was taken down enough. i wouldnt just take for granted that pressing the stem into the new tripple is enough to hold. i have seen to may stand ups go bad when they hit the front wheel hard when coming down and actualy pull the steering stem out of the bottom tripple. wouldnt just trust a lock pin to hold either. just weld it like i did to be on the safe side.