Originally Posted by
Reynolds
You can try holding the fork crown in a big vise (between two pieces of wood) and try to move the handlebar sideways. If it moves, even the slightest amount, it will come out. Continue moving it back and forth, and have a helper stand on the workbench and pull the handlebar up while you move it. Of course you should use some kind of penetrating oil before. Good luck!
Thanks though I tried that approach first before going for the stem in the vise and leveraging the fork with a wheel. I'll go back to the fork crown in the vise approach now. It's soaking upside down with ammonia poured down the fork for a few days first.
Neal