Bicycle Mechanics - how do i take off this bike stem? how to open this back basket?

I just bought this bike off craigslist but there are a few mechanics that I don't understand. For one I don't know how to take off the front bike stem. I tried to use an l-wrench in the slot but after loosening it I still couldn't pull out the stem.

Second I'm not sure how to open the back basket. Is it that middle latch in the middle?181088181089

the stem needs to be loosened at the bolts on the side of it as well as the top part coming off entirely.

the basket should open up after you release the latch.

NB : the top cap is also what adjusts the headset bearing preload,
the clamping of the stem round the steerer tube is what holds that bearing adjustment .

so as you remove both you must re adjust the headset again before the job is done,
after you put a different stem on the fork.

The stem pinch bolts need to be set with a 1/4 inch drive torque wrench.

Yes, improperly tightening the stem-bolts can result in a stem loosening later or the steerer-tube snapping. Make sure you have the proper torque-wrench to re-assemble before you take it apart.

Lift up on the clip in the middle-top of the basket and pull it out sideways.

Tony, again I urge you to get really friendly with the information at www.parktool.com/repair (http://www.parktool.com/repair) . If you had checked there first you would know that this is a threadless headset and stem and all the information on how to remove, install and set for correct preload on the steering would be there.

NB : the top cap is also what adjusts the headset bearing preload,
the clamping of the stem round the steerer tube is what holds that bearing adjustment .

so as you remove both you must re adjust the headset again before the job is done,
after you put a different stem on the fork.
Don't think so in this case. Can't be 100% sure from the close in photo, but I think he has a fatty headshok.
If so, that top cap will be either a damper contol or a lockout switch depending on which model.

Tony,

For your Christmas wish list - a book like this one will save you lots of aggravation and be worth it's price twice over for background knowledge.
http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Complete-Bicycle-Maintenance-Repair/dp/160529487X/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Sheldon Browns Web site and the park tools site mentioned above as well as many bicycle tutor videos etc can be found with goggle etc. I'm not trying to send you away but rather arm you with some basic resources that will save you time.

It is a cannondale, there is no preload adjustment. Just loosen the bolts on the side, not the top.

Yes it's the latch in the middle on the basket, they tend to get stuck.

It is a cannondale, there is no preload adjustment. Just loosen the bolts on the side, not the top.

Yes it's the latch in the middle on the basket, they tend to get stuck.

You are thinking suspension. Tony Pham is asking how to take the stem off. Loosening the pinch bolts won't do anything but allow the stem to rotate on the steer tube. He has to remove the top cap to take the stem off. If he removes the top cap and the stem, he'll have to reset the preload on the bearings when he reassembles it.

You are thinking suspension. Tony Pham is asking how to take the stem off. Loosening the pinch bolts won't do anything but allow the stem to rotate on the steer tube. He has to remove the top cap to take the stem off. If he removes the top cap and the stem, he'll have to reset the preload on the bearings when he reassembles it.

Nope. As mentioned before, C-dale headshock forks use a different headset than your standard threadless. They have sealed bearings and there is no bearing preload adjustment. You can, in fact, just loosen the pinch bolts and remove the stem. If you look at the picture real close you can see that what looks like a topcap does not rest on the top of the stem like it would in an Aheadset, it has a smaller OD than the stem's ID.

As silver_ghost and myself said, just loosen the two pinch bolts and the stem will be free. If that's all you need to do you should be all set. It's worth mentioning that unlike other bikes when the stem is removed from a Cannondale the fork will not fall out of the frame, the only other part that will come loose is a rubber/metal seal under the stem, it usually stays put but be aware if you remove the stem it can get lost.

Nope. As mentioned before, C-dale headshock forks use a different headset than your standard threadless. They have sealed bearings and there is no bearing preload adjustment. You can, in fact, just loosen the pinch bolts and remove the stem. If you look at the picture real close you can see that what looks like a topcap does not rest on the top of the stem like it would in an Aheadset, it has a smaller OD than the stem's ID.

If the bike had a headshock, that might be important. But look at the picture. There's no boot below the headtube and the headset is too small for a headshock. It's a conventional 1 1/8" threadless fork.

I think there might be a boot down there you can just barely make out behind the lock, way too big and bulky to be the bottom bits of a headset. You can kinda make out the "SHOK" part of headshok on the top cap, as well.

The boot is visable behind the U-lock. It says "...DSHOCK" on the plastic plug (not a topcap) in the steertube. Also, the cutaway in the side of the stem looks a lot like these: http://www.cannondale-parts.de/Headshok-stem

Anyway, this is a pretty silly argument for us to be having, hopefully Tony has his stem problems sorted.

as far as the stem is concerned if you have to ask perhaps you should not remove it. you need to be able to readjust the bearings, as stated, when reinstalling. if you can't figure out how to remove it, you may not have the aptitude to adjust the bearings.

as far as the stem is concerned if you have to ask perhaps you should not remove it. you need to be able to readjust the bearings, as stated, when reinstalling. if you can't figure out how to remove it, you may not have the aptitude to adjust the bearings.

yeah, god forbid anyone learn anything around here....:\

as far as the stem is concerned if you have to ask perhaps you should not remove it. you need to be able to readjust the bearings, as stated, when reinstalling. if you can't figure out how to remove it, you may not have the aptitude to adjust the bearings.

Removing the stem from a Headshok will in no way affect the bearings. Just take it off and be happy. The steerer is a tight fit in the bearings. I've seen some that you can slide the fork out of the headtube with just a little pursuasion, and others that took quite a bit. There is no provision for bearing adjustment on this unit.
Either way, it's not likely the fork will just fall out of the headtube when you remove the stem like a threadless headset type would.

+1 - Back when I knew less about threadless systems, we took my buddies Cannondale F700 to the LBS to get the fork removed (Powerdcoating the frame).

The guy took off the top cap and stem (the top cap is actually what adjusts the lockout on the shock) and gave the top of the fork a decent whack with a rubber mallet. Reassembly was pretty much the exact opposite. Rather simple compared to when I installed a traditional threadless headset on my rockhopper.

yeah, god forbid anyone learn anything around here....:\

I have nothing against people learning but I do worry about people hurting themselves while learning.

The plastic top cap pictured on that Headshock does absolutely nothing. It's strictly for decoration. You can remove it or leave it in place. If you remove the allen bolt that holds the cap on, you can access the preload adjustment which is way down inside the threaded hole. I think it's a 3mm allen screw inside.

ah thanks guys. the two side bolts definitely loosend the stem. i need to remove the handlebar from the gripshift and brake but I will invest in that book and that website to learn. thanks again