Originally Posted by roadsnakes

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Yes , it is backwards. LOL

The original stem was very long, so you rode stretched out, and low.

I`m elderly with a very bad back.

Years ago I went with a shorter stem. It made riding more comfortable. But, as the years passed the back got worse. So to get the bars higher and closer , I raised it as high as it could go, and reversed it.
Now it`s nice and close, and I don`t have to reach out and down.,making my riding position more upright.

The handling was a little "squirrely" at first, but I adapted to it very quickly as the alternative probably meant not riding.
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