Motorcycle Repair: 1945 WLA, pb blaster, propane torch

Question
1945 WLA Flathead
Roy,
I am in the process of tearing down my 45 here in Kyrgyzstan and plan on shipping it back to the States.  How do i remove the forks from the frame so that i can ship it for a lower cost.  I was thinking of heating up the neck but was worried about warping the neck or bearings.  

Answer
Hey Hip you didn't say what the removal problem is so I will start from scratch.  You have to remove the top center stem nut and the left and right pinch bolts on the top tree/handlebar clamp.  If anything is frozen, squirt them with PB Blaster or ZEP-45 or something similar.  Then BEFORE you try to LOOSEN any nuts or bolts, try to TIGHTEN them just until you hear them break loose.  Don't keep turning tighter.  Just break them loose by trying to turn them clockwise until you hear that "crack".  Then loosen.  If the stem or rear springer legs are frozen into the bearing races or top tree you may have to heat them.  Use a propane torch not an acetylene one.  If you have to rap on the top of the fork stem, do it with the a nut on it and only use a lead or brass mallet.  Good Luck.  (Sorry it took so long to answer, we're really busy here at the shop.)