My 84 RZ500 Suspension Upgrade

[RZ 500 N]

If you could get a bearing with a 30mm bore, I'd locktight it on before I'd weld it up. That's assuming it's a nice slip fit. Not too sloppy.

I would of rather got what I had paid for originally, but no such luck. Yamaha, upgraded to 31mm for a reason, and locktite is not even close to a interference fit.

The reason that I'd stay away from welding is that the weld is going to warp the part. You will probably have to weld the area that gets pressed into the triple clamp as well. Then you can machine both of those diameters true to the other end. This will not be easy. Not as easy as starting over anyway. I don't know why Yamaha upgraded to 31mm, but it seems like a rather insignificant change to me.

Just as long it's pre heated before it's welded it's not going to warp, and plus it's not like the original where it's drilled all the way thru to about .500" and the bottom is opened up to about .750" for use with a front end stand, so this one isn't drilled yet, it's a solid stem.

I, think the 1mm stem dia. increase was to be able to use a larger bearing, which would be more of a benefit providing better support. The smaller bearing may have caused issues, such as a high speed wobble due to the rake angle as an example, I doubt will be able to ever find out why ?

[steveho]

Forget welding your stem! 2 reasons :-
1) It WILL distort and be bent after welding due to the amount of heat aluminium requires to weld. If lucky might only be a few thou (even if pre-heated), but enough to not properly align in the top yoke.
2) T6 means solution heat treated to get the enhanced mechanical properties, i.e. significantly improved yield/proof stress, and hardness increase. Welding will anneal the areas where the metal was molten, thus drastically weakening those areas. Not recommended on a triple tree stem.

I know you don’t want to hear this, but I would get another (correct) stem made. Personally I would use 2014/7075/7068 which has double the yield strength of 6061, which would allow you to go hollow, so ideal for an under yoke paddock stand. T6511 condition is best—-solution heat treated, artificially aged and controlled stretched.

Good luck whichever route you go.

[Jeff B]

I, think the 1mm stem dia. increase was to be able to use a larger bearing, which would be more of a benefit providing better support. The smaller bearing may have caused issues, such as a high speed wobble due to the rake angle as an example, I doubt will be able to ever find out why ?

This may be true. I don't think I'd be able to notice the difference driving two otherwise identical bikes that just had the different dia bearings.

[RZ 500 N]

My swing arm showed up today.

[giron]

give RGVSteve a call 321-452-8840

he can help you with the steering stem. he is no longer semi retire

[kpke]

My swing arm showed up today.

Looks great. Off to powder coat now???

[RZ 500 N]

Powder will have to wait till next year. I gota check to see if they'll just shoot the two areas needed, or if they will want to strip the whole thing then powder?
I probably all ready know the answer.
I, still have to work out my stem issue, that's what's next for now.