Stem bent?

[Youngblood]

Hey fellas, I noticed today when I was replacing my bars that the black plastic body peice that sits under the gas cap has a gouge in it by the right side of the steering stem flange. I turned the bars hard right and it cuts into the plastic before the wheels are turned to the lock. Does this mean the stem is bent? Last week I hit a small tree trunk at maybe 5mph that pushed my right wheel a little out of alignment and I checked the tie rod and tie rod ends which all seemed to be ok so maybe the stem bent and threw the alignment out of whack? I re aligned the wheels but something still seems off. I havent pulled the stem yet to check it but Iv'e heard a lot of guys say they're all to easy to bend, what do you guys think?

Joe

[bbender85]

yep, i've had my EX just over a year and bent two stems. take the front plastics off and get a better look; both stems i bent, the bend was just above the upper collar.

[RAPER]

exactly, the stem is bent for sure. It generally always bends above the upper clamp.

[katch26]

I guess they bend pretty easy, mines bent on my 03.......I guess its not to the extent of yours but def noticable

[RIDEREDson]

Yeah they bend easily. I'm on number 4. Just look on ebay for replacement.

[katch26]

Originally posted by RIDEREDson
Yeah they bend easily. I'm on number 4. Just look on ebay for replacement.

hows this for a replacement lol....custom bend

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/400ex-steering-stem_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a12Q7c66Q3a2Q 7c39Q3a1Q7c72Q3a1171Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q 3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZite m20ac2f1f4cQQitemZ140327722828QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fP artsQ5fAccessories

[danzigg]

I fix them all of the time on our 400ex's. I put it in a vise and heat with torch . i use a large screwdriver to bend it straight. I have fixed 4 of them over the years and have had no problems .

[dankbud42o]

just rolled my bike and bent mine about a week ago. ordered a new used one on ebay for 30 bucks shipped. and im gonna bend my original back so when this new one bends ill put it back in and bend the new one back...i was surprised how easily it bent.

[Youngblood]

Sweet, thanks for the replies fellas, I finally had some time to puill the front plastics off and really check her out and sure as **** she was bent. I was hoping it wasnt the knuckle cause it wouldv'e cost me a crap load more than the stem. Thanks!!

Joe

[ep250ex]

I bent mine and my dad took it to his work, they cut the bent part out and replaced it with half inch wall lube tube.