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Message started by John in Kalifornia on 02/13/13 at 21:04:40

Title: How to install engine in frame?
Post by John in Kalifornia on 02/13/13 at 21:04:40

Hi All,

I removed my engine to do some welding on the frame. I took it out by laying the bike down sideways and dropping it thru on to the grass. The motor is now on the rolling engine stand built per the directions in the tech section.

How do I reinstall it without having to lift it up? It's kinda heavy and I am old and weak. I do NOT have an engine hoist but do have a floor jack, a motorcycle frame jack, etc. I don't have any help since my son got a job and a girlfriend.

Thanks,

John in Kalifornia

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by verslagen1 on 02/13/13 at 21:08:02

ask his girlfriend over to do some heavy lifting. :o

or do it the same way you took it out... only backwards. :-?

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by engineer on 02/14/13 at 05:10:59

This sort of thing is a problem for older people and your buddies are usually not any better off. But you will get it done, it will just take longer.

Get some scrap lumber, rope and a pry bar or two and that jack and do it the old way. Use long lumber for levers, short blocks for cribbing and or fulcrums, a small piece of plywood to set it on and slide it around, rope for securing etc. It can be done, just takes an assortment of scrap lumber and various tools. Once you gather up some supplies and get started you'll see a number of possibilities and from then on it is trial and error. You will be surprised at what you can do. Just go slowly and take care not to pull a muscle or something.

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by Paraquat on 02/14/13 at 09:17:14

Someone here said they lay the engine on it's side and then lay the bike down over it.
I'd make your son do it. It's the least he can do.

Or take it all apart and assemble it once piece at a time in the frame.

--Steve

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by Serowbot on 02/14/13 at 09:29:51

Invite yer' neighbor over for a beer... ;D...

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by BuckRYCA on 02/14/13 at 09:40:00

I built a little pallet just the height of the top of the bottom frame cradle tube. A car scissor jack raises the engine so that it can be slid from the wood piece atop the jack across the frame tube onto the pallet. I remove and re-install it on the right side with bike vertical. Expect some frame paint scratches unless you tape the frame well and are slow and careful.

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by verslagen1 on 02/14/13 at 10:14:11

Engine is 100# or so, any of those racheting tie down straps will handle it.

Then throw it over a rafter and have at it.

I'd use the rachet to bring it up, but slip a knot to lower it.

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/14/13 at 10:34:44

It does have bolt holes for a motor mount on top. I cant see a way to do it alone & not scrape stuff up unless you lay the frame over the motor on the grass. If youre good with rope, I could see hoisting it & setting it with a fairly light line & a coupla pulleys. You wouldnt hafta pull hard that way.
A come along will hoist it real easy, setting it down & lining holes up will be a bit touchy, but easy enough for 2. Theyre cheap & will safely handle that load.

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by arteacher on 02/14/13 at 12:44:29

Coupla big friends, coupla beers, and your done. No big friends? How many times has your nieghbour borrowed your lawn mower? ;)

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by Dave on 02/14/13 at 12:59:42

John:

I have been training and lifting weights for a couple of years just for this occasion.

Fly me out to CA, and I will lift the engine up for you and put it in the frame.......all you gotta do is slide the bolts in! (After I rest for a few days you will need to get me a flight back to KY as well). ;D

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by Cavi Mike on 02/14/13 at 16:00:03

7D4C5F4C5C584C592D0 wrote:

Someone here said they lay the engine on it's side and then lay the bike down over it
--Steve

I've heard many times this is the easiest way to do it.

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by WD on 02/14/13 at 16:06:21

Lay it down or get some help. Either way, pad the frame or you'll get torn up paint and/or ding the engine pretty good. I use pipe insulation, cheap and tears off easily. It will hold the engine off the mounts but when everything looks like it will drop in square, tear out the foam.

If you lay it down, have a ratchet strap already under the engine... get the engine lined up with the frame, tighten the strap, stand the bike up on its wheels. Strap will hold the engine in the frame while you wrestle the whole mess upright.

Easier to just borrow a couple neighborhood kids for 5 minutes. 2 high school guys can chuck it in place in under a minute.

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by John in Kalifornia on 02/15/13 at 13:00:20

Thanks for all the help.

My carpool buddy volunteered to help me put the motor in after work. Yesterday I went to the local hardware store and picked up some bolts to fit the intake and exhaust ports, then to Lowes for a 1 by 3 board. Cut the board into 2-foot lengths and drilled holes to match the holes in the motor. I bolted the boards to the motor so that they stuck out on either side.

This morning we got off work early (we work nights-graveyard shift) and did the deed. The bike was held upright with a HF stand. Just wheeled the motor to the bike, removed the temporary bolts holding it to the dolly, and lifted it in to the frame. We were done in a couple of minutes and were still on company time when we finished. Nobody got hurt and the minor paint scratching can by easily touched up.

Here's a pic of Don and the bike showing the process.

John in Kalifornia

http://p1.bikepics.com/2013%5C02%5C15%5Cbikepics-2516653-full.jpg

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by engineer on 02/15/13 at 13:44:00

Good job. I like the way you installed temporary lifting bars.

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by v-pilot on 02/15/13 at 17:05:43

Now that's thinkin' outside the box! ;)

Title: Re: How to install engine in frame?
Post by WD on 02/16/13 at 13:51:02

That's almost TOO easy. Nice trick.