How to Install Gyro

Bicycle motocross (BMX) originated in the late 1960s in California with a group of teenagers who wanted to mimic the motorized version of the sport. It quickly grew in popularity, leading to the establishment of the International BMX federation in 1981. As of 2011, world championship competitions have taken place yearly since. BMX bikes have specialized needs that have required innovation in their design. One of these parts is a gyro installed on the handlebar stem to allow the bar to rotate 360 degrees without tangling the brake cables.

Things You'll Need

  • Hex head keys
  • Rubber mallet
  • Slotted screwdriver
  • Hammer
  • Wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Loosen the bolt from the top center of the stem with a hex head key, and pull out the stem. If the stem is not the standard 1-inch design, you may need to remove two side bolts before you can pull it off.

    • 2

      Remove the front forks from the bike by pulling them downward. If you find them difficult to pull out, tap the top with a rubber mallet to free them. Pull the bearings from the top and bottom of the headset, and set them aside.

    • 3

      Remove the headset from the frame by inserting a slotted screwdriver through the bottom headset cup and resting it on the ridge inside the frame head tube. Tap the end of the screwdriver with a hammer, and work your way around the headset until it pops out.

    • 4

      Place the bottom plate on the head tube, and push it down with your hand. Use the rubber mallet to tap it into the top of the head tube.

    • 5

      Reinstall the bearings where they were before you removed them. Slide the forks back through the bottom of the head tube.

    • 6

      Install the rest of the gyro body over the top of the head tube. Slide the top plate down the fork tube to the spacers. Reinstall the handlebar stem, reversing the process used to remove it.

    • 7

      Install the brake cables from the handlebar controls to the top of the gyro and from the bottom of the gyro to the wheel brakes: Insert the ball on the end of the cable through the fastening mechanism, and tighten the set bolt with a wrench.

    • 8

      Set the brakes by tightening or loosening the adjustment bolts on each cable and testing the braking operation using the handlebar controls.