Abstract: A bicycle handlebar stem is made of two separate parts, a tubular shank and a gooseneck. This eliminates or substantially reduces long drilling operation for the stem and it simplifies the forging of the gooseneck. The gooseneck is shaped for forging thereof in a manner such that the meeting of the forging dies does not occur across the top of the stem, and the forging operation can forge identifying insignia on the stem top and/or form a recess of receiving an identification plate. Destruction of the indicia on the plate in the case of a stolen bicycle is easily detected. In order to inhibit commerce in such stolen bicycles the handlebar stem is mounted in the steering column in a manner that requires a special tool to remove it and to replace it by another.