I have a Raleigh Super Grand Prix. The handlebars are slid through a slot in the stem and then a bolt holds them in place.

Now trying to take bars off of the stem. They were held by a bolt which threaded into a hole underneath the stem and which when tightened compressed the stem and held the handlebars.

In the diagram I have attached your see the word "stem". Directly above that word stem you see the opening where you slide the bars in and then the opening is compressed with a bolt.

That bolt is out and I can slide bars back and forth but cannot slide the bars past where they curve. I believe that over the many years the bars were attached the stem, the stem lost any elasticity it had (if that is the right word) and now the hole on the stem won't expand enough to let the bars slide out.

I was thinking of trying to insert something into the part which screws in (not the threads) and then trying to pry the parts enough to allow the bars to slide out.

I can't find anyone who has had this issue before.