I read through the old threads on engine removal and decided to try something different. Since it worked, I'd like to share it with you. I am working by myself and was trying to avoid laying the bike on its side or just trying to horse the engine out. I'm going to get the frame powdercoated and want to also be able to put the engine back in without chewing up the new powder.
A couple of years ago, I picked up an engine stand at Harbor Freight. If memory serves, it was on sale and I had a coupon so I think it cost in the range of $50. I went to Home Depot today and bought some 3/8 steel rods and cut some threads into the ends of them to hold washers and a nut. I removed the upper engine mounts from the frame, slid the rods through and secured them with a nut.
I had already removed the head and jugs for a top-end refresh, but it served to give me more room to work and also decreased the engine weight.
I then put a bottle jack under the engine to help support the weight while I moved the lower mounting hardware.
I then lowered the jack supporting the frame enough to the engine to sit above the frame. At this point, all I had to do was to slide the engine across the rods and away from the frame. I put the bottle jack back under it because I won't get back to it until the morning, but the rods appear to be more than capable of bearing the weight. I'm thinking that this should also make it pretty easy to get the engine back into the frame when the time comes.
All in, I probably spent $60 for the stand, the rods and the washers/nuts. That is about $20 less than a trip to the chiropractor. Also, I think I'll be able to just spin the engine in the stand to clean it, prep it and paint it. I thought maybe someone else might find this idea useful.
A couple of years ago, I picked up an engine stand at Harbor Freight. If memory serves, it was on sale and I had a coupon so I think it cost in the range of $50. I went to Home Depot today and bought some 3/8 steel rods and cut some threads into the ends of them to hold washers and a nut. I removed the upper engine mounts from the frame, slid the rods through and secured them with a nut.
I had already removed the head and jugs for a top-end refresh, but it served to give me more room to work and also decreased the engine weight.
I then put a bottle jack under the engine to help support the weight while I moved the lower mounting hardware.
I then lowered the jack supporting the frame enough to the engine to sit above the frame. At this point, all I had to do was to slide the engine across the rods and away from the frame. I put the bottle jack back under it because I won't get back to it until the morning, but the rods appear to be more than capable of bearing the weight. I'm thinking that this should also make it pretty easy to get the engine back into the frame when the time comes.
All in, I probably spent $60 for the stand, the rods and the washers/nuts. That is about $20 less than a trip to the chiropractor. Also, I think I'll be able to just spin the engine in the stand to clean it, prep it and paint it. I thought maybe someone else might find this idea useful.
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