Project Raptor had managed to survive more than a year of constant abuse with the stock steering stem but a high speed crash in the Las Vegas 200 was the last straw for the stock steering stem.

We have had very good luck with our other Roll Design products so we decided to add one more to the list on Project Raptor. The Roll Design steering stem is made with a 17-4 cast stainless steel head and base that is integrated with a 4130 chromolly shaft. The head incorporates an anti-vibration design and is available in multiple finishes. The stem also features Aircraft Certified TIG welded joints, to ensure maximum strength. We chose the extended XC/Desert version of the stem powder coated black. The anti vibration mounts need to be ordered separately so initially we ordered the mounts for our Renthal Raptor bend bars. Later we changed to the Fat bar mounts for some new Tag T2 bars.

Roll Design base accepts stock piece for connecting tie rods.

Roll Design head requires separate mounts depending on your type of bars.

Installation

The Roll Design stem on bottom is nearly 2 1/2" taller where the bar mounts than the stock stem.

The installation can be completed in a couple hrs or less with basic hand tools. There is not instructions provided so if you need some reefer to your shop manual on steering stem removal. You need to remove the front plastic, remove the nut and piece connecting your tie rods from the bottom of the stem, remove your handlebars, then unbolt the stem where it attaches to the frame.

Reverse the procedure and you are done. If you are trying to use stock Raptor bend handlebars you will have to do some rerouting of your cables to accommodate the length of the stem. It can be done but we recommend you go with some Tag T2 handlebars instead.

Project GYT-R Raptor at the 2003 Adelanto Grand Prix.

Summary

We are very happy with the new stem when combined with the Tag T2 handlebars. The quality is very high and I can't imagine we will ever have to replace this stem. The price is a little on the high side when you add the cost of the anti-vibe mounts to the price of the stem but at the same time it is hard to be the quality product you get from Roll Design. To be noted is that the width of the bar clamps is wider than what is in a stock Raptor so you will not be able to use upper bar clamps that are one piece and designed for a stock Raptor stem.

Roll Design Steering Stem - $349

Roll Design anti-Vibration mounts - $89

Roll Design
Telephone: 760-731-5920
Fax: 909-653-9610

www.RollDesign.com

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