Bicycle Mechanics - Handlebar removal/installation?

So I have a 70's Raleigh Supercourse and I'm trying to get he drop bars out and swap them. I am having a hell of a time getting the bars out of the stem. The stem has a single bolt below that secures the handlebar. I ca get it to the second bend before it gets stuck. Can I pry the stem apart? Should I give up and saw the bars? OR is it just a whole lot of wrasslin'

You can saw the bars & discard if you don't want them. Otherwise, remove the binder bolt from the bar clamp. Put a few coins in the slot, and screw in the binder bolt from the rear. The bolt will push against the coins as you screw it in, spreading the clamp. With the clamp spread, the bars come out easily. You can also use the "brute force method" of prying the clamp apart with a big screwdriver. The screwdriver has a tendency to slip, though, causing unexpected pain.

I was going to post the same question...this site is frkn amazing! I'm doin my best Howard Dean yell right now!

I have the same thing, a pair of bars in a GB stem from a mid-70's Raleigh that will not come out. You can't do the coin trick because it is a through hole, not a threaded hole. If you pry the stem, you risk cracking it (my stem needs to open a whole bunch, beyond what I think the aluminum casting will withstand). There is no narrowing of the stem clamp at the opening that would benefit you in getting aorund the bends. I know they got them in there, but I am of the opinion that these bars were never meant to be swapped out (bike boom).

I have the same thing, a pair of bars in a GB stem from a mid-70's Raleigh that will not come out. You can't do the coin trick because it is a through hole, not a threaded hole. If you pry the stem, you risk cracking it (my stem needs to open a whole bunch, beyond what I think the aluminum casting will withstand). There is no narrowing of the stem clamp at the opening that would benefit you in getting aorund the bends. I know they got them in there, but I am of the opinion that these bars were never meant to be swapped out (bike boom).Nonsense...There is actually a clamp spreader made just for the job.

Nonsense...There is actually a clamp spreader made just for the job.

Correct as usual: http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/tenofmyfavoritetools.html

I looked on parks site for some sort of tool and never found one. I just figured if Park didn't make, nobody probably made it.

You can't do the coin trick because it is a through hole, not a threaded hole.

Actually, you can. Put the nut in the gap with the coin - then thread in the bolt.

Actually, you can. Put the nut in the gap with the coin - then thread in the bolt.

There's not that much room in mine.

There's not that much room in mine.

Do you want the stem? Saw the bars. Do you want the bars? Gorilla pry the stem.

awesome, now i dont have to buy a new 2 bolt stem! thanks for the tip!