Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

Getting ready to take the stem out of the lower tree on an 81 cr250.
Question is: Looks like I will have to press it out, my concern is how frozen the stem(steel) is to the lower tree(aluminum) and fear of cracking the lower tree. Am I forgetting something before I do this?
Everythings off(lower bolt is out) except the lower bearing, stem and tree, soaked it in penetrating oil and getting ready to do it Tuesday.
It should press out, correct and the lower bearing should also come off at the same time?

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Garry Mainer
#33m (retired)
Honda Cr250r 1980
Honda Cr250r 1980
Yamaha TY250C 1976
Arctic Cat 650 H1 2007

I had mine pressed out last week ('81 CR 450). My machinist had the same concerns about the aluminum. Instead, it practically fell out.

Proceed with caution, but yours shouldn't be difficult either.

I had my 1979 steel steerer transferred to a set of 1982 43mm aluminum triple clamps. A motorcycle shop with a hydraulic press did it in minutes for a 10 bucks...

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Michael Stiles
1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore | 2006 Husqvarna SM510R | 2007 Service Honda CR500R-AF

Came right out just like you guys said.....had a buddy of mine do it at his shop and he cleaned the trees up for me while I was there, think I'm gonna go all natural aluminum look top and bottom.
What do you guys use to seal...I was thinking clear acrylic???
got the lower fork tubes nice and clean and polished, so I'll spray it all at the same time.

_________________
Garry Mainer
#33m (retired)
Honda Cr250r 1980
Honda Cr250r 1980
Yamaha TY250C 1976
Arctic Cat 650 H1 2007

I had the 43mm triple clamps powder-coated black when I put them on the '79 CR250R to match the original ones. The silver ones on the other bikes are original...

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Michael Stiles
1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore | 2006 Husqvarna SM510R | 2007 Service Honda CR500R-AF