I would clean out as much grease from the upper pressed race. maybe get the bearings out, breaking the cage, for good measure.

use a vice to hold the stem, support the rear triangle on a saw horse or chair.

find an area where you can safely use an open flame, grab a pair of insulated gloves.

use a propane torch to heat the fork steerer tube. It may turn red hot. Focus the heat on the part of the tube that is in contact with the stem.

the steel will expand as it gets hot. So will the aluminum stem. If you heat them both for too long, they will stay fused.


Give it a try, best to heat the fork up quickly, then grab the blades and twist. A stubby 2x4 in the fork crown can be a big help, but is also capable damaging the fork.