Quite a few bikes came with those stems as original equipment.
Olmo and Capo come to mind.
The bend was always tricky on bar removal
We always carefully spread the slot and mostly were able to sneak the bar
thru. Occasionally we would mark the bar but it was covered by tape,
fortunately
Some were already marked by the factory when we unpacked the bikes.
The adjustment was about 8mm or so if I recall, and made for fairly close
adjustment on length, nothing that couldn't be finessed with saddle movement
of maybe 2/3 mm.
Maybe some of you that are VERY in tune with your bodies could discern that
on those old bikes, but you would be the great exceptions to make the rule.
We got into the habit of filing a wedge shaped notch on all those stems at
the slot, about 1/8" - 3/16", that didn't weaken it and made changing much
easier. Nobody worried about "modification", we were riding them at time of
issuance and that today actually gives it the precious used at time patina
many of you speak of today as desireable for authenticity as compared to
virgin birth status.
Ted Ernst
Palos Verdes Estates
CA USA
> Just as a note of warning
> Because the bar clamp is barrel shaped it is quite difficult to
> install and remove handlebars from this stem.Bars with tight or shallow
> drops are problematic. You can ''spread'' the clamp but it requires sound
> mind and body and a proper tool.
> The alloy used in these is very malleable so keep banging to a
> minimum.
>
>
> BOB FREITAS
> windy and rainy
> in MILL VALLEY, CA USA