Well, my FSM calls for chisels and heat to get the bottom bearing off the fork stem. After you cut the cage off with the chisel, turn the stem upside down while heating the inner race. It will expand and fall off.

The new one does get pressed on, using "a sleeve that will contact only the inner race of the new bearing".

 

Snug slip fit. After 30 years that usually turns into a press fit.

I generally cut the cage off with d y k e s and then heat the race until it drops off. O/C torch works well, but these induction heaters are the cats-ass for this sort of stuff. They keep the heat in the race and not in the tree.

 

Thanks, guys. I'm not replacing it. It's still in great shape, just 25 yr old grease needs replacing.
I was just doing a fork seal repair that blossomed into "while I've got it apart....."

 

I can assure you that you have at least 1 more year on that grease.

 

Good on you for pulling the steering stem to check the bearings.

That has to be the most neglected part of any motorcycle.