No offense intended, but some of you guys clearly didn't read what Jean said.
First of all, forget about simply pressing the shaft out. Jean explained that the bottom yoke is steel, not aluminum, and the shaft is welded to it at the bottom. Yes, you could bore the weld out and then press the shaft out, but he also explained that his lathe doesn't have enough swing to chuck the shaft up and turn it with the yoke attached.
Same comment about all the suggestions on shortening and cutting new threads. Can't do it if it won't fit in the lathe.
I don't think it's right to call it "poor engineering". It appears to be a sensible way for Jean to do it without taking it to someone else for machine work. And it seems clear there is really no safety issue with the technique.
I really don't see what all the concern is over welding on "steering parts". Traditional British clip-ons were welded together, and I don't recall any concern over it. Plenty of people have fabricated fork yokes from welded sheet steel, again with no concerns. Some wheels (Performance Machine) are welded together. It used to be common to cut Honda Hawk wheels apart and weld them back together with more width. I've seen older steel fork sliders fabricated with welding. There's nothing wrong with a proper welding job.
Doesn't seem fair to insult Jean over his solution, just because you wouldn't do it that way.
Ken
