[honda1]

While attempting to hammer the lower bearing race out of the stem, I managed to get it cock-eyed.
I am attempting to hammer it back in, thinking that might be easier than trying to get it out.
No joy.
Would heating the race help? It seems like that would only expand it and make it tighter.
Or shall I attempt to saw a kerf in the race and pound it the rest of the way out?
Any help would be appreciated. I am really "stuck" this time.

 

[Sartell350]

Have you tried to heat up the steering head itself to cause it to expand?

 

[honda1]

No, but I was thinking of trying that. Thank you for affirming that idea. I think I will direct the heat particularly at the place where the race is cocked.

 

[Tim Allman]

I doubt that you will be able to saw the race as it is hardened and will probably dull a hacksaw blade in the first pass. A small abrasive disc might work though. I would not use heat for fear of distorting the frame.

From experience I know that replacing the races can be difficult but have always had success with a punch and a weighty hammer such as a midsized ball peen (~500g), used carefully and gently and watching for the misalignment which you seem to have created. Assuming that the technical term cock-eyed means the same to both of us, at this point I would try to realign it by applying the punch through the frame to the high side of the race.

This may require some very hard hammer blows but I can't think of anything else.

 

[honda1]

Thank you for the information. I will give the hammer a try.

 

[NighthawkCharlie]

While attempting to hammer the lower bearing race out of the stem, I managed to get it cock-eyed.
I am attempting to hammer it back in, thinking that might be easier than trying to get it out.
No joy.
Would heating the race help? It seems like that would only expand it and make it tighter.
Or shall I attempt to saw a kerf in the race and pound it the rest of the way out?
Any help would be appreciated. I am really "stuck" this time.

Welcome to the school of hard knocks, NO pun intended.
I too have done this - more than once - and have always quickly reversed course, removed the race, then cleaned up the grooves or other metal distortions in the frame using a Dremel tool and small abrasive bit. The mounting surface needs to be smooth...again. Use more heat on the frame next time, even a blue bottle butane torch will get you part way there, probably enough. Keep after it, good luck.

 

[honda1]

Thank you for the encouragement. I will keep after it.

 

[Boomer343]

IMHO leave heat out of it unless you are running a bead of weld on the race that when it cools will shrink the race, tricky to do when it is cocked. If you heat the head stock sufficiently to cause it to expand and release the race when it cools it will shrink ... not what you want.

I'm assuming the bike is on it's center stand with engine in. If so then you are loosing a lot of striking force from the head not being supported.
I would put a heavy support between the floor and head, think a 4 x4 post. I would use my air chisel with a long attachment that has a hammer head end to knock out the race but a good punch and heavy hammer will work. The support under the head is key.

 

[honda1]

That makes sense. I will use the support and my air hammer; worth a try.