Stem spacers stuck

Hello all,

I just found, yes found, a Specialized Rock Hopper. The landlord of some
apartment was throwing it out. Anyway the bike seems to be in good shape
except for a stuck seat post and stem spacers. The spacers seemed to be
oxidized or chemically welded to the threadless stem. I'd like to salvage
this bike as it's not bad. Is there anyway to get the spacers off? I'm
going to be taking it to the bike shop anyway, just thought I'd give any
suggestions a try to save me some money.

Thanks.

Jason

On Fri, 01 Jul 2005 20:28:20 -0400, J.L wrote:

Hello all,

I just found, yes found, a Specialized Rock Hopper. The landlord of some
apartment was throwing it out. Anyway the bike seems to be in good shape
except for a stuck seat post and stem spacers. The spacers seemed to be
oxidized or chemically welded to the threadless stem. I'd like to salvage
this bike as it's not bad. Is there anyway to get the spacers off? I'm
going to be taking it to the bike shop anyway, just thought I'd give any
suggestions a try to save me some money.

Thanks.

Jason

I always start with penetrating lubricant--a ****eload, and let it set
overnight.

Might very well have welded itself, but lets be optimistic and call it
"corrosion" for now.

Shoot, I paid a whole $30 for my old Rockhopper. :P

J.L wrote:
Hello all,

I just found, yes found, a Specialized Rock Hopper. The landlord of some
apartment was throwing it out. Anyway the bike seems to be in good shape
except for a stuck seat post and stem spacers. The spacers seemed to be
oxidized or chemically welded to the threadless stem. I'd like to salvage
this bike as it's not bad. Is there anyway to get the spacers off? I'm
going to be taking it to the bike shop anyway, just thought I'd give any
suggestions a try to save me some money.

Thanks.

Jason
After you soak it with penetrating oil, can't you just hammer the thing
with a rubber mallet, using the head tube as an anvil?

On Sat, 02 Jul 2005 01:59:41 -0500, Collin wrote:

J.L wrote:
Hello all,

I just found, yes found, a Specialized Rock Hopper. The landlord of some
apartment was throwing it out. Anyway the bike seems to be in good shape
except for a stuck seat post and stem spacers. The spacers seemed to be
oxidized or chemically welded to the threadless stem. I'd like to
salvage this bike as it's not bad. Is there anyway to get the spacers
off? I'm going to be taking it to the bike shop anyway, just thought I'd
give any suggestions a try to save me some money.

Thanks.

Jason
After you soak it with penetrating oil, can't you just hammer the thing
with a rubber mallet, using the head tube as an anvil?

well the method the bike shop used was to spray with penetrating oil then
chisel between the spacers. It ended up that they just cut the stem off
and pulled the fork off. Which doesn't really help. Although the stem is
off now. Brute force.

On Fri, 01 Jul 2005 20:28:20 -0400, "J.L"
wrote:
I just found, yes found, a Specialized Rock Hopper. The landlord of some
apartment was throwing it out. Anyway the bike seems to be in good shape
except for a stuck seat post and stem spacers. The spacers seemed to be
oxidized or chemically welded to the threadless stem. I'd like to salvage
this bike as it's not bad. Is there anyway to get the spacers off? I'm
going to be taking it to the bike shop anyway, just thought I'd give any
suggestions a try to save me some money.

Not a helpful comment here, but doesn't this put the lie to the
contention that you NEVER have to worry about a threadless headset
getting stuck? Especially since (lower in the thread) the spacers had
to be chiseled off??

Pat

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