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

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.

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

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.

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

Paraquat wrote on 02/14/13 at 09:17:14:


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

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

Now that's thinkin' outside the box!