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Tech. Advice: Series 'B' / 'C' 500cc/1000cc Bikes
Modified Steering Stem
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<blockquote data-quote="davidd" data-source="post: 138414" data-attributes="member: 1177"><p>I loaned David Tompkins my taper roller stem for a season and then sold him a new stem (for stock bearings) which he machined for taper roller bearings. The reason I built some taper roller stems was that my bike had a problem with the lower race moving around. I solved this problem by replacing the lower bearing again and had no issues. Despite this, I made a drawing to have two taper roller stems made. David, on the other hand, had to adjust his steering head several times and found that the bearing broke. The replacement broke also. He used my taper roller stem and had zero problems.</p><p></p><p>The lower bearing gets pushed really hard on a road racer, so it is unlikely a design issue. I believe it has to do with the fit of the lower bearing race in the steering head, which is often compromised. I checked with Carleton Palmer and he never had a problem with his race bikes, so I think it is the luck of the draw.</p><p></p><p>The taper rollers do not affect the handling unless you are breaking lower races. I would not opt to do the conversion for fun, but I would normally install taper rollers on a racer that is being built to make it more reliable. </p><p></p><p>If you want taper roller bearings, get them from Norman while you can. It is best to have the new steering stem and taper rollers do require a machined stem, which the stock Vincent does not have (although they vary).</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]41780[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>The stock modified stem on the left and the taper roller on the right. The taper roller stem is machined to hold a bearing steady at the top and when seated at the bottom, like a modern fork stem. I also left the stock damper design on the stock modified stem on the left but removed it from the racing stem.</p><p></p><p>David</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="davidd, post: 138414, member: 1177"] I loaned David Tompkins my taper roller stem for a season and then sold him a new stem (for stock bearings) which he machined for taper roller bearings. The reason I built some taper roller stems was that my bike had a problem with the lower race moving around. I solved this problem by replacing the lower bearing again and had no issues. Despite this, I made a drawing to have two taper roller stems made. David, on the other hand, had to adjust his steering head several times and found that the bearing broke. The replacement broke also. He used my taper roller stem and had zero problems. The lower bearing gets pushed really hard on a road racer, so it is unlikely a design issue. I believe it has to do with the fit of the lower bearing race in the steering head, which is often compromised. I checked with Carleton Palmer and he never had a problem with his race bikes, so I think it is the luck of the draw. The taper rollers do not affect the handling unless you are breaking lower races. I would not opt to do the conversion for fun, but I would normally install taper rollers on a racer that is being built to make it more reliable. If you want taper roller bearings, get them from Norman while you can. It is best to have the new steering stem and taper rollers do require a machined stem, which the stock Vincent does not have (although they vary). [ATTACH type="full"]41780[/ATTACH] The stock modified stem on the left and the taper roller on the right. The taper roller stem is machined to hold a bearing steady at the top and when seated at the bottom, like a modern fork stem. I also left the stock damper design on the stock modified stem on the left but removed it from the racing stem. David [/QUOTE]
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Tech. Advice: Series 'B' / 'C' 500cc/1000cc Bikes
Modified Steering Stem
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