Removing the engine by hand !?

[Djairouks]

Hi everyone,

I just bought 2 weeks ago a 1978 GS 550 which is running great.
However some rust can be seen on the frame and the engine itself is not
so shiny, so I decided to take the bike apart to refresh it !

My only question is, when taking the engine out of the farme, it is specified
in the service manual to use both hands to carry it out !

I guess the motor is quite heavy even for a 550, can anyone tell me if this is
really possible by hand ?

Thanks

[conrad]

I guess the motor is quite heavy even for a 550, can anyone tell me if this is
really possible by hand ?

Thanks

hi chap, no don't worry it's not heavy. If you've worked on even small cars you'll be right.

ymmv, lift properly, etc

regards to you,

[Suzuki_Don]

Yes, you need to use both hands and both feet. The engine will come out the right hand side of the frame. If you do not intend to take the head and cylinders off then the engine will be quite heavy and there will not be a lot of clearance when getting it out. I guess most people take the valve cover and cylinder head off, which does make it easier to get the engine out.

Do you intend to do any work on the motor while it is out, remove head, etc.

[Djairouks]

Well that was fast thanks !

In fact it's the first time I disassemble a bike, from my job I know a lot about
electrics and mecanics but I'm not going to open the engin as I'm not that
skilled to do it.

Just want to clean and polish it, I'll take off the carbs put removing the heads
is opening the motor right ?

[Djairouks]

Can anyone give me an estimate of the weight of the engine, just want to be
sure and maybe ask some friend to help me.

[Baatfam]

Unless you have a bad back or are really out of shape, you shouldn't have a problem...

I'm just an average guy, in my 50s and I lifted the motor out of my 1100 a couple of weeks ago...
I did have the clutch, carbs, starter off it, so it was lightened up a bit...

[Djairouks]

Okay I'm a regular 27 year old bike lover it should be okay !

I will maybe consider also removing the starter, but the thing I don't want to
do is really open the engine itself, as I am no mecanics guy and it's running fine
for now.

tonight I'll allready take the old motor oil out as well as the filter, thanks for all
the replys, this forum is great for a guy like me that has the capabilities to do
it but not all the knowledge and experiance.

Cheers

[conrad]

french ?

cordialement,

[Djairouks]

Not far I'm swiss from the french speaking part !

[Bonsai]

Works best on a down to the frame rebuild- with engine still in frame, frame on the floor, pad the floor well and gently lay the bike over and release the engine on to the floor.

[conrad]

Not far I'm swiss from the french speaking part !

drat. fail.

(if I guess yr height, do i win yr gs550?)

[Nessism]

I disagree with the others, that engine IS HEAVY - in the range of 75 kg. It can be removed by one person but its not an easy job.

[Djairouks]

Conrad, it's my first rebuild of a bike and enjoy it a lot, I will NEVER give this bike !!!
Or maybe in a fair rock paper scissors contest !

I plan on having wooden block at the lower height of the frame, thus with a friend lifting
and putting the motor on this block. To have the smallest travel with the engine and not
risking to drop it on the floor, don't worry.

[Baatfam]

Conrad, it's my first rebuild of a bike and enjoy it a lot, I will NEVER give this bike !!!
Or maybe in a fair rock paper scissors contest !

I plan on having wooden block at the lower height of the frame, thus with a friend lifting
and putting the motor on this block. To have the smallest travel with the engine and not
risking to drop it on the floor, don't worry.

It also helps to have a jack under the motor to lift it up a bit over the frame...

[Baatfam]

It can be removed by one person but its not an easy job.

That's what makes it so satisfying....

Anyone can do easy....