Engine Installation Tips

[Guest]

Hello everybody,
I'm doing a frame up restoration on a 1980 GS1100ET. I need some tips on mounting the engine on the frame with the least amount of damage to the frame. Any tips or tricks would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Larry

[Larry D]

Get a friend to help lift it into the frame -or- lay the engine on it's side and then lay the frame over the engine, throw in a couple bolts and then stand the whole thing up.

[Agemax]

3 people makes it a walk in the park. 2 to lift, one to guide and pop in a few bolts. wrap the frame tubes with rags/bubble wrap or any thing you got handy just to prevent any damage

[Nessism]

Agree with wrapping the frame tubes. Some thin closed section foam sheets taped in place would work well. And consider leaving off the valve cover since the reduced engine height will make it easier to install the engine.

[Mop Bucket]

Been thinking about taking my engine out to do some painting. How much does the engine weight?

[pete]

Not sure how much of your engine is back together yet, but with mine I'm planning to just get the bottom end together first, put that in the frame, then do the rest in the frame. I figured that's the best way to reduce the chance of me damaging my nice shiny new frame paint.

[hampshirehog]

Wrap the frame in old blankets / cardboard / whatever you can lay your hands on and tape it on well.

This is the Billy No Mates (and with a slipped disc only '12 weeks old') method for getting the motor in:

Remove the valve cover breather. Not essential but it gives you a bit more room.

Bike on centre stand, find or cut a large block of wood (18 inches or so square) and about the height of the lower part of the frame. Put this on an old bit of formica covered chipboard (I used an old kitchen door). The block of wood can now slide around on this easily.

Pop the engine on top of the block of wood (I risked it with my back and just lumped the thing up there).

Slide the block / motor towards the frame (on the RH side). Gently wiggle the motor into the frame until the point of balance just wants to take it off the block. At this stage pop a wheeled trolley jack under the sump (sump protected with a bit of wood) and take the weight. Pull the jack on its wheels with the engine balanced on top until it lines up then gently lower. Grease the rear mounting points beforehand and the motor should slip in easily. Pop in the lower rear mounting bolt then raise the jack until the fronts line up.

Have a beer.

[Agemax]

Wrap the frame in old blankets / cardboard / whatever you can lay your hands on and tape it on well.

This is the Billy No Mates (and with a slipped disc only '12 weeks old') method for getting the motor in:

Remove the valve cover breather. Not essential but it gives you a bit more room.

Bike on centre stand, find or cut a large block of wood (18 inches or so square) and about the height of the lower part of the frame. Put this on an old bit of formica covered chipboard (I used an old kitchen door). The block of wood can now slide around on this easily.

Pop the engine on top of the block of wood (I risked it with my back and just lumped the thing up there).

Slide the block / motor towards the frame (on the RH side). Gently wiggle the motor into the frame until the point of balance just wants to take it off the block. At this stage pop a wheeled trolley jack under the sump (sump protected with a bit of wood) and take the weight. Pull the jack on its wheels with the engine balanced on top until it lines up then gently lower. Grease the rear mounting points beforehand and the motor should slip in easily. Pop in the lower rear mounting bolt then raise the jack until the fronts line up.

Have a beer.

sounds like a lot of work. better off getting 2 mates round and a crate of beer to share after 5 minutes work

[hampshirehog]

sounds like a lot of work. better off getting 2 mates round and a crate of beer to share after 5 minutes work

Took about half an hour I only had to share the beer with myself.

[Agemax]

Took about half an hour I only had to share the beer with myself.

yeah but the more the merrier then a few beers,pizza and a ps3 night lol

[pete]

I liked the "crate of beer" bit... much better than a carton, even if there is just yourself

[KC1908]

Not sure how much of your engine is back together yet, but with mine I'm planning to just get the bottom end together first, put that in the frame, then do the rest in the frame. I figured that's the best way to reduce the chance of me damaging my nice shiny new frame paint.

Pete,

Easier to do the pistons and barrels with the motor outside the frame. If you need a hand let me know and I could drop round one day and give you a lift with it. Have two piston ring compressors too if you need to borrow them.

Ken

[pete]

Thanks for the tip and the offer Ken.

Lifting in's no trouble, got a house mate can help me with that, was just trying to reduce the height to avoid scratching my frame.

But if it's that much easier to get the barrells on outside, I'm sure I can take the extra care when putting it in. I'll leave the valve cover off and I'm sure that'll help no end, as well as not having coils in yet too.

[banditom]

engine wt

Hi,
I believe that you will find the gs650 engine to be about 225 or maybe more pounds.

Been thinking about taking my engine out to do some painting. How much does the engine weight?