pulling the motor

[AlfromNH]

The Clymer's manual says that pulling the motor requires "2 or more" helpers. That seems like overkill. Is pulling the motor(with cylinders attached) a 2 person job?

What's the most straightforward procedure? The top end has already been rebuilt, so I'd rather leave it intact. I'm going to be removing the swingarm eventually, but can I leave it attached so I'll have a rolling chassis?

Thanks for any pointers!

[montmil]

Easiest way, with less opportunity to damage or screwing up something, might be to pull the transmission first.

Remove carbs from the engine. Remove mufflers. Block up engine and remove motor mount bolts. The exhaust headers are handy 'handles' for you and a helper to lift out the engine.

Several layers of masking tape on the frame will prevent nicks n' scratches; even if you do plan to rehab the frame.

Of course, tank, all fuel lines and electrical leads are already detached, right?

It's not that the engine is terribly heavy, just an awkward lump to risk handling by yourself.

[AlfromNH]

Thanks Monte. Can I pull the tranny without detaching the swingarm?

This is how the bike sits now. A couple electrical connections still to be removed. I'm waiting for the fork parts to come in, then I'll rebuild and reinstall the forks. I want to roll it out of the "clean" room and into the garage to drain fluids and do other messy stuff.

[montmil]

As it sits right now, you should be able to angle and finagle the engine/gearbox combo and get the unit out of the frame. A second pair of hands would be nice...

[steve hawkins]

I concur.  At least one or two others.

It is surprisingly heavy and it would also be nice to have someone to steady the frame.  Why struggle?

I would also suggest that putting it in in an newly painted frame would require some help.

Cheers

Rev light

[Matt Chapter]

These types of situations prove how useful beer really is. Couple friends, couple cold ones, problem solved.

Just saying.

[georgesgiralt]

Well, we where 3 of us to put back the engine on an MV Agusta 350 (twin cylinder of the 70's) after the frame had been painted red as it was when the bike was new.
We could not do this without scratching the frame... and the engine was quite light. So gather as much help and frame protection as you can get.
consider some sort of crane or rope in the main beam to counterweight the engine....

[AlfromNH]

These types of situations prove how useful beer really is. Couple friends, couple cold ones, problem solved.

That's a great concept, but all of my friends are musicians.  

[AlfromNH]

consider some sort of crane or rope in the main beam to counterweight the engine....

Now that's an idea... you sure you're not part Aussie?  

[MR.E]

When i did mine i....

pulled the engine forwards to remove the gear box, then with the wheels out and the rest sitting on the floor, lean the engine on to one cylinder and twist the frame off the engine, the engine can then be sat o nit's sump and the frame moved out of the way safely.

Took a min or two at first to figure out how to do it but it's simple enough and the engine can be picked up and dumped on the bench!

Hope it helps

[AlfromNH]

Very clever! I'm not going to ask how you got it back in   8-)

[larstorders]

Definately a 3 person job. Unless you rig up one of these:

[steve hawkins]

When we put Tony's engine back into his bare frame, we tried "Mr E's" method.  It was very successful and not a mark on the frame.  It would have to be a bare frame and engine only left in the frame though.

Quite often though the engine bolts can be a pig to remove, especially if the bike is less that well looked after and the engine bolts have been in for 30 years!

I had to use nuts and packing to withdraw the bolts.  

Cheers

rev. Light

[AlfromNH]

I just got the motor out yesterday. It was quite easy; my wife held the bike steady while my 14 year old nephew and I lifted the engine out. Everything else had already been removed from the bike, including the transmission.

[clonmore1]

"I just got the motor out yesterday. It was quite easy; my wife held the bike steady while my 14 year old nephew and I lifted the engine out. Everything else had already been removed from the bike, including the transmission".
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You sure?

The way I heard it was you held the bike steady whilst the missus and the nephew did the heavy lifting, something about a bad back...

It took three of us to get mine out, now the pro's are putting it back in 8-)