Bicycle Mechanics - Stem Attached directly to Steering Column

I am clueless about bike mechanics. Can anyone clarify how this stem was put on this Dahon Matrix?
I am guessing that the NVO shim (steering tube sleeve) was just taken right out, exposing the 1 1/8" diameter steering column. Then spacers were place on it, and then the stem was placed on and attached at the clamps, and finally the top cap was put on and screwed in. Is this how it is supposed to be done?

http://www.dahon.com/forum/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=682

http://i9.tinypic.com/479ys8y.jpg

Stem aside, that is a darn cool (and expensive looking) folding bike.

NVO shim? Steering tube sleeve? Dunno what that's supposed to be.

It looks like a perfectly normal threadless stem setup to me. It works just like you described except that one puts on the top cap before tightening the stem's clamp. The top cap serves to push the stem down and set the HS bearing preload. The you tighten the 2 clamp bolts and enjoy.

yeah, really nice looking bike

i have one in black

but not those parts

just the nvo shim

i want to get a different stem

Ahh, I googled it cuz it was bugging me. This company called NVO makes a funny shim+stem assembly which makes it easier to adjust stem height. You see, that's not the normal setup but a weird setup. I imagine it uses a special stem made for this, about 1 1/4 clamp.

Now you only need to tell us what the hell your question is.
You have this ATS shim+stem and you want a normal one? Then get a normal one. If you know the bike has a 1 1/8 steerer, then measure your bars (1" more than likely) and get a 1 1/8, 1" clamp stem in the desired length, mount it as I described. Sheesh...

On a folding bike you want to be able to turn the bars when you fold the bike. Therefore the spacer below the stem should clamp on the steerer tube to retain the headset bearing preload. To replace the stem remove the top cap, undo the stem bolts, remove and put on the new one.

I am clueless about bike mechanics. Can anyone clarify how this stem was put on this Dahon Matrix?
I am guessing that the NVO shim (steering tube sleeve) was just taken right out, exposing the 1 1/8" diameter steering column. Then spacers were place on it, and then the stem was placed on and attached at the clamps, and finally the top cap was put on and screwed in. Is this how it is supposed to be done
Yes, that is basically a textbook standard 1-1/8" threadless setup ;) What is the problem with it?

On a folding bike you want to be able to turn the bars when you fold the bike.
Not much of an issue I'd think. The top cap should keep the bearing preload.

I am clueless about bike mechanics. Can anyone clarify how this stem was put on this Dahon Matrix?
I am guessing that the NVO shim (steering tube sleeve) was just taken right out, exposing the 1 1/8" diameter steering column. Then spacers were place on it, and then the stem was placed on and attached at the clamps, and finally the top cap was put on and screwed in. Is this how it is supposed to be done?

http://www.dahon.com/forum/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=682

http://i9.tinypic.com/479ys8y.jpg
That doesn't look anything like an NVO system. If it once had it, it apears someone has swapped it out for a normal threadless stem and spacers.
The NVO system utilizes a keyed sleeve that replaces the spacers, and extends from the headset bearing to the top cap. The preload is set and maintained through the sleeve, and the stem (special keyed stem required.)can be raised, lowered, or even removed without disturbing the preload. The ability to remove it would be worth while on a folder I would think.
Dan Burkhart.