Cinelli quill stem - crack?

I picked up this Cinelli stem, not sure of the model. It is nicely polished but I noticed what looks like two developing cracks in identical places either side of the clamp area. Anyone seen this before, and is it terminal?

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is the 'crack' running down inside from side to side? It looks like its been peeled by something catching it.

no it's two separate ~4mm cracks, each starting just where the alloy is really thin near the bottom of the clamp section.

It looks like it could almost be a manufacturing fault

You're out of the saddle, pounding up a steep climb and always thinking "is the stem about to give way..." I wouldn't use it; I prefer peace of mind.

If you decide not to use it, is there any chance i could have the badge on the front of it?
This'll explain why:
http://www.londonfgss.com/thread23240.html#post737378

its a cinelli 1R from the late 80's. do you have the wedge and bolt that come with it?

These have a history of not gripping partiularly well, the clamp is internal and needs to be tightened really hard to hold the bars properly. Looks like this one has been overtightened and stressed the alloy.

This will fail eventually and it's not repairable. Alu will shear (unlike steel), and so when it goes it ain't going to fail elegantly. If you ride it gently on sundays it might be ok for a while, but for day-to-day street I wouldn't ride it at all.

is this an ebay purchase? if so send it back!

one more thing - I've never seen that specific badge before. don't throw it away. It's (i think) pretty valuable and it's possibly rare.

drop DMCzone a PM or maybe fruitbat or dogsballs, they'll be able to give you more info on it.

and don't break it taking it out!

Yeah, it's a 1st generation 1R(ecord) stem from the mid 70's

Cinelli started using the flying C as the logo around 1979

Stems like that with Cinelli written on the face plate are quite collectable.

The plate itself pops out easily if you're careful.

But since your stem seems to be in good cosmetic condition, apart from the crack, sell it complete. Hopefully you have the bolts and wedge.

Someone will pay quite a bit for it.

I would not ride that stem.

I do have all the fixing hardware so will probably stick it on ebay with no reserve (including the closeup photos and disclaimer) and see if I get any interest.

It came with a bike which I've stripped of other useful parts so no big deal.

Thanks for all your replies, very helpful indeed!

...stick it on ebay with no reserve (including the closeup photos and disclaimer)

Good man. Suggest you sell it as a 'museum piece', not to be used. Don't want an accident on your conscience.

Oooh - how odd.

I just posted this.

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread23300.html

Basically I need the expander for the same type of stem. How much you want for it - bearing in mind it's shagged? Forms - I wouldn't need the badge :-)