Steering stem

[CJM]

I am trying to verify if my stem is stock or not. Its just black and has no markings at all I can see.

It's bent near the top of that little divider where the bushings ride and also bent where the busing is rather severely.

Tried to use a mapp gas torch to bend it back but wow no luck at all. Do I need something like oxy/acetylene?

[CJM]

so no one knows, no one has ever had a bent stem?

[tri5ron]

Originally posted by CJM
so no one knows, no one has ever had a bent stem?
1- it's probably oem with no markings on it, but it would be alot easier for us to tell if you could post some detailed pics to determine what you have.

2- mapp gas is not going to get it hot enough to form. oxy-acetl will get it hot enough, but you will need to think about softening the material too much. it will need to be heat treated and tempered after using a torch on it.

hope this helps

[CJM]

So my best bet is to probably get a new one and keep the one I bend back as a spare huh?

OEM honda will be $$$$, what other brands does everyone recommend

[liex21]

you can buy a new oem one of ebay for around 70 and aftermarkets can range from 250-400 depending if it comes with a bar clamp or not.

[tri5ron]

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=400ex+stem&_sacat=See-All-Categories

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=trx400ex+stem+-400ex&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_dmpt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&_odkw=400ex+stem&_osacat=0

[TripleR400]

i suggest if you want great quality at a good price, look at burgard steering stems... i believe they are a site sponser. I love the one i got from them.... came with my choice of oversized clamps or standard. Believe they are right at 200 dollars. Good luck

[slightlybent47]

Here is my opinion, when a 400 lbs + machine turns upside down something has got to give. Whether it be the bars or the stem and or control levers. So IMO go with a stock stem and what ever bars you like. Then just keep the bars and controls tight enough to keep them from moving while you ride. That way if you do flip it, It most likely every thing will just rotate and not bend or break. The stem is the most venerable since it won’t rotate so even if you have a very expensive stem it may still bend. Though the aftermarket stem will be much stronger then a stock one it can still bend.

I have bent my stock stem back into possession one time because it wasn’t bent to bad. But when I bent it again then I put a new stock stem on it. I got a used but still new in the box stock stem for $50.00.

I’d put a new one on if yours is bent very bad.

[CJM]

Thanks for the advice guys :)

Bought a new OEM stem for now, gonna put the other one in a press and when I get soem cash ill spring for a really good one.

[hypersnyper6947]

stockers are SUPER easy to bend, get an aftermarket one and you will be better off, I went through about 3 stocks before upgrading

[motox92]

Yes, I bent mine, I used oxy and bent it right back.

[judsteele]

when i bought my 400 the stem and the sub frame were really off i went and bought oem frame and stem, they were both really EASY to replace. i dont even think it took a hour.