Installed a banshee steering stem (review)

nofxfan125

Member
May 9, 2009
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Freeland, PA
I thought it would be interesting to put a longer stem on the blaster, so I turned down the end of the banshee stem and put it in the blaster. Here's some pictures of what it ends up looking like. Since the cables for the drum brakes were too short for my comfort, I decided to do a hydraulic disc conversion in the mean time so I didn't have to worry about the cable length. I know the hydro conversion topic has been beat to death here, so I won't go into details about that, but if anybody has questions feel free to ask. As far as handling goes - It actually feels kind of harder to turn. This could be, however, due to the fact that my front wheels are no longer flipped because of the hydro conversion and that I have an extended axle, so the front is a lot skinnier than the back. Maybe it's due to the different angle of the stem to my body since it's longer / closer to me. I'll report back when I get the front widened back out again.

The stem is just over 2 inches longer. Sitting on it without moving, it feels more like sitting on a newer, bigger sport quad. It's a lot easier to stand up and hold the bars without hunching over real far. All in all, I think I'll definitely get used to it real fast.

Since the banshee stem is wider at the bottom where the tie rods attach to it, I had to adjust the crap out of the tie rods, inward. Without adjustment both wheels pointed inward. It took some time, but eventually got it aligned about right. First I eyeballed it, then measured the best I could so that there was equal distance from left rim to right rim at the front and the back of each front tire. It took a little penetrating oil to get those tie rods to start turning since they probably haven't been touched since they left the factory.

If you're going to try this yourself, be careful on how you measure to turn down the banshee stem. If your existing stem and bushings are worn, you won't get a proper measurement from them. For mine, I measured a good steering stem that wasn't worn and the inside diameter of the bushings in the frame where the steering stem plugs into them. I think the "best" way to take an accurate measurement would be to buy NEW bushings (part 10 on the frame diagram for 2002 blaster on bikebandit) and measure the inside diameter of that, then cut to that measurement. I wouldn't cut to any smaller than that measurement because you can always check for fitment and then go back to the lathe and take another thousandth off if you need to. Finally, when you're installing your new custom steering stem, don't forget to grease it where it will contact the bushings in the frame!

Enough with my talking, here's the pics!

In order to fit the stem in the chuck of the lathe, I had to grind out the factory weld and take the "clamp" part off the stem, then weld it back on. I kept marks on it to be sure that I was welding the clamp back in the same exact spot for straightness.
http://i.imgur.com/RbpKfQLh.jpg

The one on the right is the stock blaster stem. The one on the left is the banshee stem fresh out of the lathe. Notice where I ground off the 2 little tabs just above the shiny mill work.
http://i.imgur.com/wX17ZE1h.jpg

The difference in length between the 2 stems. Also notice how the banshee stem is wider at the bottom where the tie rods attach.
http://i.imgur.com/o0TViLSh.jpg

And now the overall look of the taller stem.
http://i.imgur.com/J4GjgTdh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4pigJb1h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8qOctg2h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gErtdHPh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/sYjezL1h.jpg

And all the same pictures just arranged in an album.
http://imgur.com/a/XWJZE
 
Last edited:
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nice write up bro, have some reps, and i'm gonna sticky this for easy future reference.
i've often wondered how it would fit into the lathe.

the only thing i see missing is how much was removed during the turning of the bottom end ?
maybe you can add some figures to the original post above so guys know what diameter they're looking to achieve ??
 
I'll try to find the scrap of paper I had my measurements written down on. I did the precision machine work before Christmas and just got around to finishing the job now so I'll have to clean off my desk and workbench to find it.

ALSO! I just added a HUGE part I forgot in the original post about the banshee stem being wider at the bottom and adjusting the tie rods for proper alignment.
 
cool,
i guess we could just measure the stock stem bottom to find that measurement we're after during the lathe process ?
 
You'd definitely have to watch out with that. My "original" stem (the one that came with the bike) was worn pretty good where the stem is inside the bushing at the frame. You definitely wouldn't want to take a measurement off that. It was bent, though, so I bought a newer one and put it in a while back. The newer one really didn't have any wear and was nice and tight in the bushing so that's the one I measured, making sure it was clean and free of grease and paint. Then i measured the inside diameter of the bushing in the frame, and there was almost no measurable difference, so off to the machine I went!

I think the "best" way to take an accurate measurement would be to buy NEW bushings (part 10 on the frame diagram for 2002 blaster on bikebandit) and measure the inside diameter of that, then cut to that measurement. I wouldn't cut to any smaller than that measurement because you can always check for fitment and then go back to the lathe and take another thousandth off if you need to.

I'll add some of this to the original post when I get a chance.
 
cool,
i guess we could just measure the stock stem bottom to find that measurement we're after during the lathe process ?

Thats the ticket.Measure the blaster stem and match that measurement on the shee stem.Also There is the 2 "stops" on the flag that need to be cut off the banshee stem.Looks good nofx.Nice job
 
Thanks Dualstroke. I did read that post a couple years ago. It's where I actually got the idea to do this, so thanks again. It's too bad my blaster doesn't look as fresh as yours!
 
Joe, do you care to elaborate on this part of your sig a little bit? AWK's extended anti-vibe stem. How does one freate an "anti vibe" stem?

here's the 2 i made for speedy and his pap, they wanted stock length as they were running flex bars that already sit high......

7430-speedys-stock-length-anti-vibe-steering-stems-i-made-he-pap.jpg


in the thread linked below is mine, it's a plus 2" chrome moly stem with an east coast atv anti vibe clamp and ended up with 1-1/8" trail tech x bars
(scroll down for the stems, i got sidetracked with other parts for a while :) )
http://www.blasterforum.com/dress-up-parts-148/mmmmmmm-billet-44903/

mine came out so nice i polished it and hit it with a clear coat
10dbioz.jpg