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Adjusting the handlebars
HP
Velotechnik
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Underseat steering (direct steering)
Your Streetmachine Gte with under seat
steering has a direct steering with fixed stem.
Underseat steering on Streetmachine Gte
Alignment of the stem to the front wheel
Danger!
Aligning the stem may re-
quire adjustment of the headset bearings.
In case of assembly errors the danger of
accidents is increased. If you are in doubt
have your bicycle mechanic adjust the
stem.
Check the parallel alignment of the stem to
the front wheel by folding it completely for-
ward and looking at both stem and front
wheel.
To adjust this alignment, loosen the clamping
screws of the stem / fork steerer tube con-
nection. Do not loosen the screw in the
headset cap. Sit on the bike, hold the front
wheel with your feet and turn the stem so
that it is aligned to the front wheel.
Then tighten both clamping screws alternately
with 6–8 Nm. Check the clamping by trying to
turn the stem against the front wheel. Check
the play of the headset bearing (See "Headset
and Pedals
Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte
nicht gefunden werden.
" on page 49ff.)
Underseat steering (indirect steering)
Your Grasshopper fx or Speedmachine Gte
with underseat steering is equipped with an
„indirect" steering. The handlebars are sup-
ported by a stem that pivots in the frame. The
front fork is connected with a tie rod to the
stem.
Horizontal alignment of the handlebars
The stem is made of two parts that telescopi-
cally slide into each other. The connection is
made with a quick release lever clamping.
Open the lever while pushing the security
button on the lever.
Sit on the bike and align the handlebars hori-
zontally, so that both bar ends are at same
height. Close the quick release lever until the
security button locks in or tighten the clamp-
ing with 6–8 Nm
Check the safe clamping by trying to turn the
handlebars in the stem. This should only be
possible with high forces. If the clamping is to
loose, open the quick release lever and adjust
the counter nut of the quick release.
The ability to turn is designed on purpose: In
case the bike falls over the handlebars can
turn without being bent or broken immediate-
ly.
Danger!
The minimum insertion
depth of the stem half is 40 mm (1 5/8 ")
on Grasshopper fx and 50 mm (2") on
Speedmachine. In no case may the rear end
of the inserted stem half become visible in
the clamping slot.
We suggest to fully insert the stem half. If you
move the handlebars further back, you will
increase your turning circle as the handlebar
will contact the frame or lowrider earlier.