1973 Nitto Stem Question...
 

Hey all:

I recently purchased a 1973 Fuji Special Road Racer via eBay, and all was well and good until I realized that the stem was missing its expander nut. I've tried all FOUR of my local (and not so local) LBS's, and none carry the correct bolt - mostly due to its obsolescence I presume. I do not wish to switch out the stem, as it is a beauty of a Nitto. I've tried conveying the description of the bolt to several machine shops, but a visual would help. If anyone has photos of a similar expander bolt I can bring to a machinist/has one lying around that they wouldn't mind parting with, I'd be forever indebted! Here's some photos of the stem sans nut:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ton/003-10.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...kton/002-8.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...kton/001-8.jpg

Thanks!

Just a thought but did you look real close down into the steer tube? Sometimes a ham fisted owner will loosen the stem bolt too far and the expander will fall into the steer tube and get stuck in there.

good luck

if it isn't stuck in the steerer., check with your bike shop, I am sure they should have something. when I was in the business we used to have boxes of old stems and stuff (the owner was a real packrat) there could be a old unwanted stem lying around.

OH did you aske the seller? it could be on the garage floor.

I would not be suprised if one of our fellow C&Vrs has one

does this help? http://cgi.ebay.com/Made-In-England-...3286.m20.l1116

Hello did you find an expander nut yet? I just ran across one. let me know if you need it

I can't imagine that one from a Cinelli wouldn't fit. Why not buy a whacked-up one on eBay?