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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Engine Installation **&%$#@!
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Message started by Savageman on 06/01/16 at 06:56:14

Title: Engine Installation **&%$#@!
Post by Savageman on 06/01/16 at 06:56:14

So I'm about ready for final assembly and want to know what works best to install the engine in the frame other than Grunt work. I was thinking to set the bottom end in the frame then install the top end with the engine slightly tilted. For final alignment use my floor jack to line up the front bolts then rear.

Anyone conquered a better method? :-?

Title: Re: Engine Installation **&%$#@!
Post by DesertRat on 06/01/16 at 08:24:21

Why fight with it when your alone? This ain't some fake reality motorcycle tv show.

put some blankets and cardboard on the floor-
lay the engine on its side on the GROUND, lay your frame over the engine, line up bolts and lightly tighten them, lift frame up right, then screw around with getting the frame on the lift/jacks/blocks/whatever.

Title: Re: Engine Installation **&%$#@!
Post by Dave on 06/01/16 at 08:29:36

Not much input from the group......I muscled mine in the frame.

(Looks like DesertRat just beat me to this one). Some have laid their engine on a piece of carpet, then laid the bike frame over the engine and moved it into place.....a helper or two sure would be handy.

I think it would be easy to make a sling/bracket that was shaped like a "U" on it's side. The bottom leg could be made to bolt to the starter mount and/or carb spigot....you would need to figure out the enter of gravity so the engine hangs properly. The top leg of the sideways "U" would need to be high enough to get over the top frame rail, and allow the engine to be lowered into the frame. The hoisting could be done with an engine lift, or with a chain hoist....or loader bucket for those of us with tractors! I think I might work on building something like this (or I could renew my efforts at the gym).

Title: Re: Engine Installation **&%$#@!
Post by verslagen1 on 06/01/16 at 08:39:00

I have a chain hoist that I've used, and it's pretty simple.
with the bike sitting on the side stand it's at a nice angle to drop the engine in.
Muscle works fine too. shove bolts in when they line up, hammer when the don't. 8-)

Title: Re: Engine Installation **&%$#@!
Post by Savageman on 06/01/16 at 09:32:32

OK Harbor Freight chain hoist sounds good. My rafters are 2x8 so I don't think I'll pull the rafters down.

Laying it down on it's side makes sense to...

Hernia time! ;D

Title: Re: Engine Installation **&%$#@!
Post by verslagen1 on 06/01/16 at 10:15:50

They have a fold up cherry picker too.
You could take it right from the table to the frame.

Title: Re: Engine Installation **&%$#@!
Post by old.indian on 06/02/16 at 07:42:33

I "rented" a buddy's bike lift and "bribed" a couple of strong backs....("Rent" = 18 year old single malt. "Bribe"= couple of six packs..) 8-)

Title: Re: Engine Installation **&%$#@!
Post by Serowbot on 06/02/16 at 08:08:06

I muscled my mine in,.. but I do recall setting it down on a couple of fingers a few times.

.. you don't know how strong you are until you wedge a finger between a motor and frame... :P...

Title: Re: Engine Installation **&%$#@!
Post by verslagen1 on 06/02/16 at 08:58:21

yep, getting a hold of it is the easy part.
setting it down without catching a finger permanently between frame and engine requires some thought.
Getting that text from your buddy... "help i'm stuck between a rock and a hard place" is priceless.

I stick a rod in the thru holes to get a grip on one side and the cylinder on the other.

Title: Re: Engine Installation **&%$#@!
Post by KennyG on 06/02/16 at 09:06:53

For what it is worth.

Somewhere on here, possibly on The Companion Photo CD,
there is a photograph of a guy with a couple of pieces of lumber bolted to the Savage engine. He appears to either be wrestling the engine in or out of the frame. IIRC.....

Kenny G

Title: Re: Engine Installation **&%$#@!
Post by Ruttly on 06/03/16 at 06:51:07

I used a rope and a 5" pvc pipe , rope thru pipe and thru top rear motor mount bolt hole as a handle. Took engine from bench to milk crate next to rolling chassis , best if put in on left side of bike , right arm over and thru frame to grab handle and left arm at front base of cylinder. Slid in no problem didn't even touch powder coated frame. Yeah it's heavy but handle takes the awkward aspect away !

Title: Re: Engine Installation **&%$#@!
Post by FLDoug on 06/03/16 at 14:54:04

I put the engine on a couple of pallets so it was the same height as the frame, put a piece of wood on my floor jack and positioned it under the center of the frame, and then I just kind of walked the engine into the frame.