Burgard Stem

[450RGNCC]

I currently have a Burgard Stem on my 04 450R, and I was wondering if everyone else who has a burgard stem has the plastic spacers at the top clamp b/c it looks as if the stem was too small so they just put the spacers in to make it the correct size? The spacers are POS and I am planning on getting rid of this stem soon and just switching to a better, taller stem. so does anyone else have this problem? I talked to the one fabricator from burgard when I bought this bike and he said that they based all of their 450r parts off of this quad, so maybe its just this stem that is like this? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[JW450R1]

i have a +1 burgard on a 04 450r.i don't think theres any spacers,but it's a +1.i have no problems with mind.burgard is a good company i'm sure they can help u..

[Pappy]

mine is still doing fine and i have one of the first ones they made for the 450r. the spacer IMO works better then the stock bushing:p

[450RGNCC]

the spacer will not stay down in the bushing, if I push it down, it works fine and the stem has no play, but as soon as I start riding, the pieces push back up about 1/4" to 1/2" and the stem wobbles becasue it is not held in tight.

[Pappy]

you did remove the stock rubber bushing and only install the included bushing right.?

[450RGNCC]

i bought the bike with this stuff on it, i have never looked at a stock 450r bushing, but it has what appears to be the stock bushing with the bushing from burgard which is like a sleeve that slides inside of the stock bushing... i will go take pics

[450RGNCC]

here is the bushing on the bike, there are two halves of the piece, and i have pushed down the half that is closer to the camera, and you can see how the other half is still sticking up, and when they are both up, the stem wobbles back and forth

[450RGNCC]

here are the inner and outer bushings separated

[450RGNCC]

here the two bushings are put together like they are on the bike

[Pappy]

the burgard stem only uses the bushing that is in 2 pieces, the stock rubber bushing is not used. i know about the R you own, but i do not know what the owner cobbled together to make parts work etc. i would reinstall the 2 piece polymer bushing only. if it appears way to small let me know and i will get you the correct bushing.

[450RGNCC]

i put just those pieces in and the stem moves back and forth about 1/2", so there is no way that they are the correct pieces. PM me a price on the correct bushing... thanks Pappy.

[Pappy]

no need for a price, just pm me your address.

[450RGNCC]

Thanks Pappy! I sent you a PM.

[jeepeater347]

Any of you with this stem feel that it is harder to steer?

[the predator]

yeah it does appear a little stiffer at first ...but i guess i just got used to it....i'm gonna try some thinner grease on the top bushing to see if it makes a difference

[quad2xtreme]

Originally posted by the predator
yeah it does appear a little stiffer at first ...but i guess i just got used to it....i'm gonna try some thinner grease on the top bushing to see if it makes a difference

If it is hard to turn, put a small washer behind one side of the clamp so it doesn't clamp down as hard. If it is still hard to turn then add another washer to the other side.

The grease is definitely a good idea too but if it is too tight then it will just squash it out of there too soon. The washer trick keeps the grease in there longer plus has less resistance between the steering stem and bushing.

/Jon