My favorite trick is to press/drive in a wooden wedge (read: half a clothespin), while pushing down on the bars a bit to open the stem up.
Also, if you can fit a thin nut in there that matches the pinch bolt, then screw the bolt through it and into the stem, you can spread the stem that way.
Jeff Slotkin Charleston, SC
On Dec 31, 2007, at 8:41 PM, <smwillis@verizon.net> <smwillis@verizon.net
> wrote:
> There is a tool for doing that but it is like a screw driver but
> smoother sides with some you can put the bolt in backwards and put a
> coin in the middle and tighten it up and it will open up.
>> From: bruce thomson <masi3v4me@yahoo.com>
>> Date: 2007/12/31 Mon PM 07:25:06 CST
>> To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>> Subject: [CR]Handlebar Removal
>
>> Folks: I have removed several (many) bars from the stems on
>> rebuilding or swap-out projects. As you know the clamp on the stem
>> takes a "set" after the bolt is tightened to secure the bars. When
>> the bolt is removed there is a bit of a relaxation, sometimes even
>> enough to rotate the bars. But seldom open enough to remove the
>> bars from the stem without scratching the bars.
>> I have tried prying the opening with a large screwdriver, but seem
>> only to bugger up the stem. Is there some method that safely opens
>> the stem to have a smooth and safe removal of th bars??/ BT
>>
>>
>> Bruce Thomson Spokane WA 99204
>> (509) 747 4314
>> Masi3v4me@yahoo.com rapidfire10ring@hotmail.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
> Stevn Willis
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