Personally, I reject the notion that something can be two different tools simultaneously. While I'm not surprised you'd like to argue about something such as this I am surprised someone as pedantic as you chooses to use the same word for two tools that are, effectively, opposites.

The 3T stems came in french sizes. I have a 115mm version of the OP's stem. 22 stem and 25 clamp. I also have the 3T handlebars that go with it.

No, probably not original. That the bike came like that from the bike shop doesn't mean it's OEM, the LBS could have fitted another stem to fit the buyer better. A laudable practice. Forcing a TTT stem in a french steerer is not

https://www.sears.com/tools-ratchets-...oRedirect=true

If this is the case, it may be worthwhile to try a 17/64" Allen key.

I don't know, but the 3ttt stem in my Le Champion came with it and bike seems original. I rebuilt it and I certainly didn't have to hammer in the stem.

Pedantic, argumentative and wrong.

I agree, some older stems used a larger size than current ones do. Fortunately I have the one I bought for a Cinelli stem back in the 70s.

Well, they're sockets with allen keys rather than holes to fit bolts that fit a socket wrench. I use them on my motorcycles, never thought to use them with bicycles. Duh!

That sentence was based on my assumption that because he suggested using a socket he thought the issue was trying to remove the handlebar from the stem, in which case a socket could be used. My apologies to Shp4man if he took offense as that wasn't my intent.

If you want to refer to both these tools as simply "sockets" that's your choice. Personally, I'll continue to draw a distinction between the two so as to avoid confusion. I've always heard them referred to as 3/8" or 1/4" hex drivers.

As for the subject of this thread, I have heard of 3ttt Record stems as OEM in French bikes, I believe, but have never seen one that was marked as 22.0 or any other mark to indicate it was not 22.2. I believe they were all made with a 26.0 handlebar clamp.

This thread is a perfect example, of why I jokingly said recently, that French bikes are more trouble than they're worth. It's funny though, on my Bertin, the steer tube accepts both 22.2 and 22.0 stems, so it kinda goes against my anti-French argument.

I have to vote with the Colonel on this squibble. A socket indicates to me that it is designed to fit a hex head bolt or nut.

As for OEM. I was right there with you, Italuminum. Not that I didn't believe the guys here who have them. Then, I looked it up. 3ttt indeed. Which surprises me a bit but the more interesting question for me is..., if we are to believe the mechanic's calipers and this is a 22.2 stem, did Motobecane fit these stems or only spec them? If so, did they use a non-French steerer tube when they were building these? Or just leave it to the LBS to squeeze them in there?

BTW Spaceman, a 22.2 stem fits in my Gitane steerer no problem, but is a bit too tight for either of my Motobecanes.

+1 We have a winner, per Snap On, Sears, HD, and Lowes!

Tax season must be stressing out some BF members employed as accounting/tax professionals!

Worse yet, Social Security Claims Authorizer.

Northern Tool as well, for the 7 mm Allen

Yeah where my check!

Here's another possibility: the OEM stem and size are not French at all.

My '74 Grand Record came to me last spring with a later stem and bars on it; naturally I did not bother to inspect them carefully or ponder about whether an 80s aftermarket 'System Components' stem would have come in French sizing. Where would the fun have been in that? It was a 70s French bike with that notorious French sizing, after all, n'est-ce pas? The French, they are a funny race, non?

So, I picked up a 'correct' 22mm Belleri stem and bars, put them in and was surprised how much 'slop' there was.

Then I measured.

GR now has an actually correct (per the catalog) Nitto stem/bars, which are 22.2 and fit perfectly.

That's interesting because I have a boom era 3TTT catalog and they don't mention the option. If it was uncataloged, that would mean it was a option only to bicycle manufacturers. This has been known to happen before but would be very odd for something like a stem, which has a big consumer aftermarket. It would certainly be a drawback if you couldn't go into your LBS and order a longer version of a matching stem.

The subject steerer could be an imperial steerer or it could be a reamed metiric steerer or it could be a standard metric steerer with a force fitted imperial stem. To get a defintive answer the OP would have to remove the fork and measure the outer diameter of the steerer tube.

I believe socket wrenches are called that because they have holes (sockets) for square-drive handles. What fasteners they are made to turn doesn't affect them having a standardized "socket" at one end.

That's certainly the case, Aixaix. I guess I think of them as only for bolt heads and nuts because that's all I use them for.
Not that that is correct. I'm old school, still using "old", bent "Allen" wrenches for hex drive stuff. C&V, behind the times, tool user.

Right-on rootboy!

Those new fangled Allen-key Sockets (or whatever they're called) are just more evidence of moral turpitude and a conspiracy by the young crabon/brifter generation to undermine the values of their C&V seniors.
Well, I ain't gonna fall for it I tell ya!

I still use screwdrivers with handles on them too.
Although I did buy a 1/4 inch hex drive set of hollow ground gunsmith screwdriver bits a while ago.
Are they ever nice. But that's as far toward the dark side as I'm going.

Be careful. The next thing you know, they'll be trying to tell us you don't NEED a full set of nut-drivers, with the different colored handles for the different sizes. No good can come of such thinking. <-- tongue aimed at THEM, obviously.