Topic: Front End Swap question...

[Zev Fisher]

Hey All,

I know the topic of front end swaps has been covered a ton here, but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for and still had a question...

With a front end swap, when you press the original honda stem into the new triple clamp, how do you secure the top clamp down to tighten the whole thing up if the new tree has a different thread type?

For example, I'm looking to swap out a Ducati Sport Classic front end on my 750, and ducati has a specific top nut for their triple tree (see pic below). If I end up pressing in the honda stem, this ducati nut most likely wouldn't thread to the top of the honda stem. How do people usually get around this? Is the best approach just to make up a custom stem?

Thanks!!

-Zev 

[grcamna2]

You may have to make up a custom stem...or use the Honda CB stem and make up a custom top nut using the Ducati piece some how; do you do fabrication ?

[Zev Fisher]

Pretty basic fabrication and welding, but I don't have a lathe or a mill...luckily I know a great machinist 

Also, when the new stem is pressed in, are these usually welded also? What if you're dealing with an aluminum lower tree and a steel stem and can't weld the two materials? Is a good press fit enough to hold the stem into the bottom tree safely?

[grcamna2]

I believe a professional welder who does Tig welding should be able to weld those two dissimilar metals...but ask one to be sure.I would most certainly have it Tig welded and not just a press fit  . I've seen a few cheap steering stem/lower triples O.E. that looked swaged,but...I think they were just too cheap to weld them from the factory.

[Zev Fisher]

Thanks!

[Retro Rocket]

Use the Honda top nut...

[luap]

 might check into seeing if there are steering bearings that will work with the OD of the honda neck an Id of the ducati stem, If theres bearing why not just use the ducati stem? is it to long/short?
is the ducati stem weled in or pressed in

[scottly]

I believe a professional welder who does Tig welding should be able to weld those two dissimilar metals...but ask one to be sure.I would most certainly have it Tig welded and not just a press fit  .

You can't weld steel to aluminum.

[geminimotors]

If you're using the Honda stem, what prevents you from using the Honda nut, washer, etc?