Well, Larry obviously has a less charitable view of AVA stems than I do. Given his testimonial, I'd certainly say you should consider chucking the stem and bars. I'll still use my AVA stems, but that's just me.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Larry Osborn wrote:
> At 09:21 PM 12/5/00 -0800, you wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hi lightweight bike lovers! I just brought home a nice '71 Raleigh
> >International. The bike's in very good original condition, but has an AVA
> >handlebar stem (the one with the hollow top), and unmarked bars. Might
> >this be the same stem and bars that I've heard horror stories about?
> >Are these stems really an accident waiting to happen? No, I don't see any
> >cracks yet, but should I be concerned? I'm guessing that this is the
> >original/correct stem and bars for a '71, but I'm not sure, as my '74 Int.
> >uses a GB. Anyone know? Thanks,
> >
>
> Duane
>
> Sounds like the death stem to me. Be very afraid. As a survivor of a failed
> AVA stem on my 69/70 Raleigh Pro in heavy traffic in Chicago, shortly after
> a friend had a similar incident, I strongly advise you to deposit that
> particular item to the recycling bin. Kill it. Kill it now. Don't wait for
> warning signs. YOu probably won't get any. I was a hulking 120 pounder at
> the time, and not a hard rider and my friend was taller than I, but also a
> stick boy. The point being, neither of us was, or ever has been, thrashers
> of bike parts. Yes, it has survived this long. No, I wouldn't find ANY
> comfort in that fact. Any thoughts along the lines of treating it with
> great caution still may not save your head, or your shoulder, or whatever
> YOU happen to land on. Fortunately I bounced along a row of parked cars
> instead of careening out into traffic and was able to walk away.
>
> Check the catalogs section of the Retro-Raleighs webpage. I don't think we
> have found a 71 catalog yet (but would very much like to borrow one from
> anyone who is willing to loan one out for a short time), but there is a 70
> and a 72. Can't remember how detailed the info was for those years. Even if
> you put a GB on your 71, nobody can argue with you. If anybody does, give
> them the AVA. Eventually, you will win the argument.
>
> Enjoy the Int
> Larry "AVA-phobe" Osborn