I have a bent steering stem on my 250r. The bend is right above the top clamp for the stem. Turning is not a problem, but the right side of the handlebar is a little lower than the left.

I plan to get a new steering stem, but I spent too much money on the motor so I will have to wait until winter. But I think I have a temp fix.

If I put a couple of washers under the right side handle bar clamps, this should allow the bars to be closer to level. But my concern is strength.

If I raise the clamp up, say two washer’s height, will it still hold up on the MX track? I have two races this weekend, and would like a quick temp fix, but I will not compromise safety over function.

I know that some places will straighten the stem and stuff like that, but I am real low on funds and time. That is where the washer idea came up.

 

Should be no problem as long as the nut on the side that you're adding the washers to is still completely filled with the bolt or stud. In other words, at least some threads are showing past the nut, after it is torqued down. One of my R's has been running with a bent steering stem for over a year & it gets raced. Good Luck!

 

I saw something at a race this summer that worked great. Put a chain on the stem, wrap the other end around a large tree. Now get some slack in the chain then push the quad real hard till the chain gets tight and jerks the stem straight. Keep doing this until the stem is straight. It is a good quick fix at the track!
ERIC