Removing a very rusted stem and headset nut

bjellys

Retro Guru
I have just acquired 2 Muddyfox Couriers 1986 & 1987 one had the stem seized in so I soaked with Plus Gas to release it .After removing the wedge bolt I tried twisting the stem with no luck. I then went on to release the headset nuts just to confirm that they moved which they didn't so I cut the with an angle grinder so I could then turn them this was successful. So I then went on to start hitting the alloy part of the stem upwards which resulted in the alloy part coming off I then was able to remove the forks from the frame.
As a last resort I took the forks to a local metal fabricating workshop and got a piece scrap steel bar welded onto the stem.
When I got home I put the forks into my vice horizontally with the crown race against the edge then hit the welded bar with a hammer a number of times them mounted the forks vertically in the vice by clamping the welded bar I then used a long piece of wood to lever the most solid part of the fork from side to side which was a complete success.
 

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  • stem2.jpg
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