Author Topic: So I bought this frameset...  (Read 1972 times)

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
So I bought this frameset...
« on: 04 September, 2017, 09:32:24 pm »
£25 for a 1994 Kona MTB frame with a stuck stem (rounded expander bolt) and a stuck seatpost.  I can get my money back just by selling the "dog collar" cable guide and seat clamp but I wanted to see if I could get the rest stripped down.I'm assuming the first thing to try on the stem is to hammer a Torx bit into the hole after applying a lot of penetrant?  The seatpost might get caustic soda if just twisting it in a vice doesn't work :demon:
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

Torslanda

  • Professional Gobshite
  • Just a tart for retro kit . . .
    • John's Bikes
Re: So I bought this frameset...
« Reply #1 on: 04 September, 2017, 09:48:11 pm »
If you have a set of SHARP drill bits and a steady hand I would be inclined to drill the head off the stem bolt - as long as you're sure it's just a rounded bolt socket.

If the stem is stuck then cut the stem off the quill so you can undo the headset then heat the quill, trap it in the vice and fit an old front wheel to the fork for better leverage as you twist the fork off the quill. Appreciate the stem's toast . . .
VELOMANCER

Well that's the more blunt way of putting it but as usual he's dead right.

Re: So I bought this frameset...
« Reply #2 on: 04 September, 2017, 10:14:08 pm »
if the stem bolt is accessible, weld something to it and use that to undo the expander bolt.

cheers

Re: So I bought this frameset...
« Reply #3 on: 04 September, 2017, 11:56:57 pm »
I've got a set of (2) seized bolt extractors that actually work well when you follow the destructions. Try screwfix.

Caustic soda - wear goggles and keep it off your skin

zigzag

  • unfuckwithable
Re: So I bought this frameset...
« Reply #4 on: 05 September, 2017, 06:30:15 pm »
grind the part of the stem off with a grinder leaving the bolt head exposed, then undo it with vice grips or pipe wrench.

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: So I bought this frameset...
« Reply #5 on: 05 September, 2017, 08:31:29 pm »
Bit easier to drill the head off!  Then the wedge can be loosened with a hammer and punch.  It's likely that the stem is also corroded in place, but caustic soda cannot fail.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

Paul

  • L'enfer, c'est les autos.
Re: So I bought this frameset...
« Reply #6 on: 06 September, 2017, 11:45:27 pm »
Have we, as a forum, abandoned nuking from orbit? Did I miss that memo?
What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: So I bought this frameset...
« Reply #7 on: 07 September, 2017, 06:02:23 am »
That's too easy.  Just box it up, ship it to Pyongyang, and wait.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

Torslanda

  • Professional Gobshite
  • Just a tart for retro kit . . .
    • John's Bikes
Re: So I bought this frameset...
« Reply #8 on: 07 September, 2017, 10:46:07 am »
Once the stem is out you can remove the wedge by screwing the stem bolt in from the bottom of the fork and persuading it with a hammer. Means you don't have to hold a punch...
VELOMANCER

Well that's the more blunt way of putting it but as usual he's dead right.

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: So I bought this frameset...
« Reply #9 on: 14 September, 2017, 12:16:46 pm »
Head drilled off stem bolt.  Wedge dropped straight away (the heat and vibration must have loosened it).  Stem is corroded into steerer but it's a steel stem so should shift using penetrating oil and leverage.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

Torslanda

  • Professional Gobshite
  • Just a tart for retro kit . . .
    • John's Bikes
Re: So I bought this frameset...
« Reply #10 on: 14 September, 2017, 10:49:09 pm »
Don't be tempted to do what a friend did trying to release a stuck quill stem in a Battaglin road fork. Remains of the stem in a vice and a piece of 4x2 through the fork legs.

Followed by a long ebay search for a replacement . . .

Engineers!  ;D
VELOMANCER

Well that's the more blunt way of putting it but as usual he's dead right.