Can anyone help me remove the forks?

I found http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/columns/bobgarage/indexb.htm very useful when stripping my bike.

lukerative

I know someone who 'dissolved' a stuck stem by sawing off the top so you can get the fork out and then soaking the enitre fork in Super strength Draino - apparently it will Eat the Aluminium but will not touch the paint or steel.

not really relevant to this thread, but anyway, a mate had a seized seat post in his pompino, he'd tried everything and eventually cut a slit down it and began to hammer a screwdriver down the tube to free it, except the screwdriver went straight through the seat tube, making an inch slit.

In exasperation, he bought a new frame and gave me the old one.

I got the post out by plugging all the holes (cork in end of seat tube in BB, allen bolts in the bottle bosses) and filling the tube with strong caustic soda solution. about six times. in the end the seatpost had been attacked enough to just pull out easily. NOT a job to be attempted inside under any circumstances, it's a real witches cauldron of harmful smoke.

so yes, caustic soda (sold for unblocking drains) attacks ally and can free the bond between steel and aluminium, leaving the steel intact. don't expect to save the aluminium part though.

Well, I've tried bashing the stem upwards and out. No joy there.
I've tried getting someone to hold a length of wood between the forks and twisting the stem out using the handle bars. Its not budging.
Bloody cotter pin is totally stuck so I'll have to drill it out, I guess. Basically, I've got absolutely nowhere despite everyone's good advice. I haven't tried the penetrative oil, draino or caustic soda so that could be the way to go.
Its a bit annoying, I mean, I like the frame, but its not the best in the world and its causing me a lot of trouble. aaarg!

juliettyspaghetty
I've tried getting someone to hold a length of wood between the forks and twisting the stem out using the handle bars.

If the bars are twisting you should be able to get it out, once it is moving you are one the some straight, twist and pull, eat your shreaddies!

It won't move at all. Not even a tiny bit. I didn't think I was such a weed! This frame had been sitting in someone's garage untouched for about thirty years before I got it, so that may have something to do with it.

The stem on my Carlton has an expander, so hitting it from below may only be making matters worse.

Where do you live?

Dalston.
I've sawed off the end of the stuck cotter pin now, but i can't really drill it out as I haven't a vice or stand or anything.
re: stuck stem and fork: the only thing I haven't tried is draino or some sort of corrosive to eat away at the stem.
Been checking ebay in case I can't get this sorted, but all the bikes / frames are so big.
If anyone knows of anyone who wants to sell me a similar frame, I'd be very interested to hear from you. IF I can't sort this out I'll be looking for a 19.5 - 21 inch frame.

Caustic soda worked for me - but again, only use outside, wear gloves and goggles, and be patient!
Have you tried plusgas? Been told that is a good penetrator!!! Have you tried 2 people twisting?
with something jammed between the forks, a person either side of the bars?
My forks were seized and I ended up putting the ends in a drain wrapped in cloth to protect as
I didn't have a big enough vice! Worked a treat.