Best way to remove bottom race from lower triple??

OnkelB wrote: When I did mine I stuck the stem in a vise and (carefully) worked around the race with a chisel - if I remember correctly the stem is slightly fatter at the bottom where the race sits, once the race is free of that part it should come right off.

That's the way I do it also.

donthaveakawman wrote: maybe that lower bearing holder will pop up with a screwdriver and who knows it may be threaded in there. is there a way to use a press?

My screwdrivers cost on average $10.00 each. You use one of my screwdrivers as a pry bar, physical injury "WILL" occur.

Harbor Freight sells basically the same tool for about $25. Search for a bearing separator. I think I got a set with 3 different sizes. Most better auto parts stores probably carry them as well.

www.harborfreight.com/large-bearing-separator-3979.html

If you have access to a hydraulic press, the stem can be pressed out of the clamp and pressed back in.

ramtough_63 wrote: used the dremel cut it off worked ok

Have done this twice - works well. Don't cut all the way through.

I have to do it on the 650 soon, I think I'll give the chisel method a try first
If it works great, if not the Dremel is close at hand

I just used a chisel and slowly worked it around the outside edge and it came right off.

Chissel, you dont have to work it around either. Just keep hitting the side thats easiest to get at and they come right off, no damage ever. Now the races in the frame, thats another story.

I mighe have a tip, ive been doing it on bicycles for years. a thin chizel, not woodworking, tapped shewways in several areas around the perimeter frees them up. to remove the cones from stem, you can probably use a bike tool, the Park headset remover RT-1

When I used the chisel method, it messed up the bottom seal. If you are replacing the seal, obviously, it doesn't matter.

Now I use the dremel, and it preserves the seal.

I use a cut off wheel then split it with a chisel.
For the frame race's I run a real hot weld bead about
1/4 way around the race and the heat draw's the race up and they fall out.

DoubleDub wrote:

ramtough_63 wrote: used the dremel cut it off worked ok

Have done this twice - works well. Don't cut all the way through.

+2 and all the others who used a dremel.

loudhvx wrote: When I used the chisel method, it messed up the bottom seal. If you are replacing the seal, obviously, it doesn't matter.

Now I use the dremel, and it preserves the seal.[/quote

:huh: air motor with a thin cut off wheel or an actual tiny dremel tool ?

I prefer using these small reinforced cutters and my Dremel with a variable speed foot pedal.

anything with a thin cut off wheel should work.

ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES !

Also good for polishing