I have a NOS Chrome Donut Seat Clamp,.....

...and I can't get it over the seat tube, any tips on how to widen the clamp without damaging it ??

thanks for any tips,

Matt

Pull the bolt out. Take a thick flat head screw driver(preferrably with some tape around it) and push through the slit in the back. You shouldn't have to go to far to get it over.

thanks mate, did try that, but didn't work on this one., have had success before but Hutch's are pretty thick..

How much do you need it to spread? If it's just a hair, remove a little material from the inside, wet sand and polish.

I have the same problem, my pro racer from has a tiny lip at the top. Ive used worn skateboard grip to sand the inside of the clamp which worked but its too tight to push down by hand. Tapping with a rubber mallet works but not recommended.

word of advice with chrom hutch clamps.

the chrome flakes off very easily. i mean stoopid easily.

they did this bitd all the time. you can barely tighten them before the chrome cracks and peels.

the same will happen if you try to spread it open.

im sure you could get it over the frame but i pretty much guarantee it will crack soon afterwards if its that tight.

sorry, probably not the advice you wanted

If it is magnesium it is super brittle and can crack easily. You said it was plated so it is probably aluminum.

The easiest way to slightly spread it open is to insert the screw backward w/ a nickel in the slot. If the allen screw is long enough, thread it into the opposite side of the clamp. It will tighten against the nickel and spread the clamp.

Personally, I wouldn't pry it open with a screwdriver, you will mark it, as the alloy is very soft...

I had a similar problem with a hutch 2'n'1 trying to get the thick shafted "western h" stem through and I'm sure the same technique would work...

Take the bolt right out, then thread it through from the other side (with the thread), then in the gap put a small coin or washer in the slot and continue to thread the bolt through, once it makes contact (the bolt and the washer) just screw it down little by little until you can slide the clamp over the top of the seat tube...hope this makes sense....just be gentle, they are quite fragile...and good luck!

i hate when that happens.. it happened to me, but i got it spead open just enuff with the screwdriver method. i used a polishing cloth for pretection and was very carefull.. it was not a hutch clamp though..