Twisting a CroMo Stem?
 

Hi,
I am asking this here as Frame-builders would know how to manipulate metal.
I have a Cromo stem (130mm Velocity brand). The clamp part is not level, It dips to one side i.e. It is rotated slightly on the longitudinal axis. (This may be due to a crash as the bars that were on it are also not straight. Also because It is unlikely they got past Velocity's quality control that way.).

So I was wondering: is possible to twist it back to normal? For instance, clamp a handlebar, then slip another tube over it to extend the leverage....then force down on one side, up on the other.
Or any other methods?
My Concerns are these:
Would the twist weaken the weld area? or the stem body?
Would heating it make a difference?
How hot does it need to be? (I would like to conserve the painted finish....)

Thanks for reading.

What you are suggesting is cold setting chromoly alloy steel, which shouldn't be a problem if the extension doesn't have to be twisted very much to get the clamp area back to level, but there are a lot of details that may complicate things. Is it a quill stem for a threaded steerer, or is it threadless? Is the handlebar clamp area part of the stem, e.g. forged as a single piece, or is the handlebar clamp welded or brazed to the forward extension?

How about posting a detailed photo? How many degrees (angular) is the clamp area twisted out of alignment?

are you putting this on a bike for someone you don't like?

It certainly would be easier and safer just to get a new stem.

It is a quill stem that is going on my own beater bike. It is welded at either end.
Do I like me? That's a good question....Ha ha...Either way crashing is inconvenient.
I would not like to buy a new one because this bike has to be as low cost as possible, and also 1" long stem quills are hard to find.
Anyway it is a very slight twist. at the end of a 60cm bar it translates into maybe 1 cm height difference.
In the photo, its hard to see. But the bottom is more to the left.

Even better than a stem, how a bout a twisted TT?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=511860