I'm transplanting a Honda CRF 450 front end onto my XR650L. The 450 sports thicker forks, so I'm forced to use the 450's triple clamps and stem as well. The head stock taper bearings used on the 450 are larger than those on the 650, so the best way to do this would seem to machine the 450's steering stem down, to accept the 650's smaller bearings.
I've already removed the old bearings from the stem and pressed it out from the bottom triple clamp. All indications are that the stem is made from aluminum and I have never machined aluminum. Apart from getting the outer diameter machined down to size very, very precisely, the surface where the bearing will sit also needs to have a rather smooth finish.
I would appreciate any advice or specific precautions on machining aluminum and also on how to get that smooth finish. Recommended cutting speeds, best inserts to use, etc.
In its current state, the surfaces where the bearings sit does not have a mirror or perfectly smooth-as-glass finish and the although substantially finer than the rest of the stem, the machine marks are definitely visible.
I look forward to your replies.
I've already removed the old bearings from the stem and pressed it out from the bottom triple clamp. All indications are that the stem is made from aluminum and I have never machined aluminum. Apart from getting the outer diameter machined down to size very, very precisely, the surface where the bearing will sit also needs to have a rather smooth finish.
I would appreciate any advice or specific precautions on machining aluminum and also on how to get that smooth finish. Recommended cutting speeds, best inserts to use, etc.
In its current state, the surfaces where the bearings sit does not have a mirror or perfectly smooth-as-glass finish and the although substantially finer than the rest of the stem, the machine marks are definitely visible.
I look forward to your replies.