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Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: Mikku on January 14, 2015, 02:55 PM

Title: DK stem ID
Post by: Mikku on January 14, 2015, 02:55 PM
Hi guys! I'd be grateful for some help on ID-ing this DK stem that I recently picked up:-

(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m572/Trident393/BMX%20Stuff/FA018.jpg) (http://s1132.photobucket.com/user/Trident393/media/BMX%20Stuff/FA018.jpg.html)

(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m572/Trident393/BMX%20Stuff/FA020.jpg) (http://s1132.photobucket.com/user/Trident393/media/BMX%20Stuff/FA020.jpg.html)

I particularly want to know what date/era it's from plus, having never owned a DK before I'm also surprised how small it looks. My first thought was that it was a mini but I think (and bloody well hope) the measurements suggest otherwise. They are:-

base length - 3 5/8"
base and cap width - 1 1/2"
cap length - 2"
bolt length (total, end to end) - 6 1/8"

From reading stuff over on the Museum I think it's a later rather than an early model/generation and a standard (or pro) rather than a mini but anyone have any other ideas?  "help"

Thanks in advance!  :daumenhoch:

Mick
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: griff on January 14, 2015, 03:27 PM
although they come up narrow I don't think it's a mini, looks like a pro to me but someone who still has one will be able to confirm
I used to have the same one/similar on my old haro - can't remember the age but think about 89?

Nice stems though, regret selling mine now as I need a stem again ::)
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: Dannywhac on January 14, 2015, 04:37 PM
Yeah Griff - they're the one's DK used up until they brought out the 1 1/8" ahead ones - rounded shoulder = mid school  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: snoopy72 on January 14, 2015, 05:36 PM
It's about 88-90,  looks like a pro xl with original hardware
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: Dannywhac on January 14, 2015, 05:45 PM
Can be later than '90 - you could still get em with the old DK logo and rounded ends until 94ish give or take.
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: Mikku on January 15, 2015, 01:45 AM
Thanks for the replies guys! :bow:

So pulling all that together, it looks late 80s/early 90s Pro-ish! I was after something earlier but at least it's not a mini!! :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: glenboy on January 15, 2015, 02:06 AM
Info above is all correct 👍, the rounded top and rounded corners started late 89 onwards my own feeling is the one you have is early 90s
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: Mikku on January 15, 2015, 02:51 AM
80s I can live with but 90s makes it mid-school (in my books at least), in which case I might have to push it in Griff's direction! :D
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: snoopy72 on January 15, 2015, 06:59 AM
You need a DK square, I like them,  grip really well compared to other stems.
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: Mikku on January 15, 2015, 08:14 AM
You need a DK square, I like them,  grip really well compared to other stems.

Yeah, that's why I went for one. I had Suntour Power stems bitd but remember having issues with them, so thought I'd try a DK instead. 
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: pickle on January 15, 2015, 08:24 AM
could do with an early square one myself  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: Mikku on August 07, 2015, 03:17 PM
So I've now picked up an earlier square one and was quite surprised to see the difference in size:-

(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m572/Trident393/BMX%20Stuff/DK%20stems%201.jpg) (http://s1132.photobucket.com/user/Trident393/media/BMX%20Stuff/DK%20stems%201.jpg.html)

I know these look and are quite small for a Pro-sized stem but the measurements seem to pan out ok:-

base length - 3 1/8"
base and cap width - 1 1/2"
cap length - 2"
bolt length (total, end to end) - 6 1/8"

It doesn't have the key hole underneath so I'm not sure what generation it is, but in any case I like it!  :daumenhoch:

Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: Gnarlyscoots on August 07, 2015, 03:45 PM
Yes buddy  :daumenhoch:

The one on the left is indeed an early 80's standard Pro sized stem, known as 'square cornered'. DK, meaning Dad and Kid, do come up small compared to other Pro stems, but so do Torker stems. I have one on my TA  :coolsmiley:

As previously stated, the right one is second generation, mid school lushness, and is an XL model.

(http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad61/GnarleyScoots/Skyway%20TA/20150310_135522_zpsthqtibgj.jpg) (http://s922.photobucket.com/user/GnarleyScoots/media/Skyway%20TA/20150310_135522_zpsthqtibgj.jpg.html)
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: Mikku on August 07, 2015, 11:15 PM
Thanks Terry! :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: john4130 on August 08, 2015, 09:31 AM
i have one rounded one with the exact same measurements as your square one and its unstamped. anyone have an idea on the year and model.
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: Mikku on August 12, 2015, 09:11 AM
I don't know too much about the round top ones (hence this post!) but on the face of it that sounds like a late 80s/90s pro model. What's throwing me is the lack of a DK stamp/engraving. Did some of the later ones have a sticker instead? Or maybe the og engraving was lost due to some over-zealous polishing!?! Do you have a pic of it?
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: john4130 on August 12, 2015, 06:33 PM
i don't think it's been over polished as i've had it nearly 20 years, my brother bought it along with a set of homeless bars from someone. i'm thinking it may be a homeless stem, as i think they used dk stems with a homeless sticker on the top cap.
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/n203/john4130/stem1.jpg)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n203/john4130/stem.jpg)
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: dinglem on August 12, 2015, 08:19 PM
Harbor Lite in the US also used unstamped DK stems, and eventually started drilling the out where the DK stamping usually is.
Title: Re: DK stem ID
Post by: CustardLips on February 20, 2016, 03:50 AM
Pretty sure Elf used unstamped DK stems too... stickered up as their own.  :daumenhoch:
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