Changing triple tree and steering bearings..need help!

I am replacing steering bearings and could use some advice on whats best for getting the old race's out/in
have done bearings before just not steering on a motorcycle. Pressing of the race is the bigiest hurdle so far in my reserch:crazy:

 

What year bike?

 

Everything comes apart pretty easy except the inner race on the lower bearing, which is pressed on the stem. If you have a proper bearing removal tool you may be able to get a hold of the race and press it off in a normal hydraulic press. I have had to grind some inner races to create a groove to pull on. Heating the race can help sometimes but it transfers the heat so quickly to the stem that you end up heating the entire assembly which isn't really a great idea.

Here is a neat tool for the job if you want to go full hog,
STEERING STEM BEARING RACE REMOVER MOTORCYCLE DIRTBIKE : eBay Motors (item 110495929870 end time May-18-10 08:02:33 PDT)

Sorry that is all I can offer.

 

on my 96 i was able to pop the lower race out of the stem with a long punch, pretty straightforward. i think i used a bearing tool and my shop press for the stem-make sure you get the dust seal on there before you press the new one on. grease well, make sure all races are seated, i had to build a spanner wrench to fit that top nut with piece of pip and some welded tabs to measure the proper preload, but you can always set after its together just jack the front of the bike off the ground and drive nut with punch and hammer untill slight resistance is felt in the steering when turning. All Balls makes a pretty affordable set with everything in there for like $30.

 

I take a zip disc to both sides of the race (being very careful not to get into the stem) and split it with a punch. Works pretty good and no frustration.

 

If you're careful with removing the lower bearing portion on the stem, you can use this to drive on the new bearing.

 

Just did that with mine (5th Gen), and it worked well as a driver. I used my press as well, but if you don't have one you could tap it back on with a length of pipe.
Also I discovered that bottom bracket spanners from a bicycle fit the top bearing nut.

 

To remove the bottem bearing from the stem...usually there's just enough bearing exposed to get on it with a good sharp chisel. I use a 2.5 pound dead blow hammer and go from side to side as close to 180 degrees apart as you can get. They've always come off for me. Part of the 'key' is using a dead blow as opposed to a claw or other type hammer. Careful not to 'ding' the race seating surface on the stem. The other 'key' is to remove and install bearings as evenly as possible. You get one 'cocked' and you can run into problems.