Classic & Vintage - '60s Titan stems, tricks & tips...

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cudak888
05-27-06, 05:17 PM
It's no secret that the alloy parts on early '60s Titan stems have a tendency to crack, break, or disintegrate.

The original Titan stem on my '61 Paramount is no exception, which has forced me to find suitable substitutes to the original aluminum parts which lay fractured on the floor of my workshop.

I have yet to find a suitable replacement for the handlebar binder bolt, but I've found that the small alloy cupped fitting between the stem binder bolt and stem can be easily substituted with that from the stem of a Raleigh Sprite.

The piece from the Sprite is steel, so there's less chance of it splitting when the binder is tensioned. The part fits perfectly to boot. See photo.

I have yet to locate a suitable replacement for the handlebar binder bolt though. Preferably, I'd like to replace it with a steel binder of similar size and appearance, however, I'm not sure if such a bolt exists. I'm open to suggestions...

Take care,

-Kurt

Sierra
05-28-06, 09:08 AM
Kurt, do you have an extra steel spacer from a Sprite stem that you would be willing to sell me? As noted in my reply to your Paramount post, I am getting ready to put a Titan stem on my '62 and am sure to crack the aluminum on that is on it.
cudak888
05-28-06, 11:43 AM
Kurt, do you have an extra steel spacer from a Sprite stem that you would be willing to sell me? As noted in my reply to your Paramount post, I am getting ready to put a Titan stem on my '62 and am sure to crack the aluminum on that is on it.

Sorry to say I don't - I wish I did, for the one you see on my Paramount now is from my relatively complete '74 Sprite. I reluctantly use it as a parts bike for the wheelset on it is shot.

Take care,

-Kurt

Sierra
05-28-06, 03:14 PM
I think what I should probably do it make a new one out of some aluminum stock before I ruin the old one. Perhaps the new aluminum will take the pressure better than the old stuff. At least then I will also have a pattern in case I need to make one out of steel(or stainless steel)
cudak888
05-28-06, 03:40 PM
I think what I should probably do it make a new one out of some aluminum stock before I ruin the old one. Perhaps the new aluminum will take the pressure better than the old stuff. At least then I will also have a pattern in case I need to make one out of steel(or stainless steel)

Well, you could do that, but I don't like the idea of a small aluminum shim like that having such excessive pressure being put on it (I do not believe the fact that it sits at an angle helps).

It'll fail sooner or later, and not particularly at the moment you want it to. The shards might also fly in your face as well, to compound the problem of steering loss. I'll stick with steel shims, thank you!

Take care,

-Kurt