Could a undertorqued stem nut cause the front wheel to hop? Mine was torqued to only 30 lbs
30 in-lbs, or 30 ft-lbs?
If it has the OEM ball-and-race parts, it is only about 24 in-oz. (1.5 in-lbs). If it has tapered steering head bearings, it can go up to 5 in-lbs, but that will make it steer stiffly.