I’m reading up on removing the engine from the frame.  

Did Clymer conveniently omit removing the front pulley and belt?  They have to come off, right?

Clymer also recommends removing the alternator, starter, clutch assembly, and external shift mechanism IF you are going to be disassembling the engine.  (Skip this step if not disassembling  Do they suggest removing these components to lighten the load when removing the engine??  Removing the external shift mechanism makes sense to keep it out of harms way when you’re trying to manhandle the engine out.

They suggest having a helper remove the engine from the frame.  I know it’s not light, but does anybody know the weight if I can’t find a helper?  Can I just gently dump the engine out the right side into the lawn?    Then get a wheelbarrow or dolley and haul it to the workbench?

Clearly I need help and tips!

Thanks Verslagen.  The tooth fairy is going to move it from the front yard to the work bench!  

Pulley and belt are coming off.  I don’t need to be tripping over the belt in the process of pulling the motor.  Side covers are staying on.  Starter will probably get pulled just cuz it’s easy.

My wife could probably lift it!  Ok, maybe I need to find a real friend that doesn’t have a bad back (that’s getting harder these days)!

If you were local I'd take that off your hands, but the engines are heavy enough that shipping a complete one is an expensive chore (for both sender and receiver), and it probably isn't worth your time to split it into a lower end and a cylinder/top end for shipping in two separate containers.

Yamaha TT/XT/SR500s, BSA unit single 500s, Rotax 500/600 SOHC are all in the 90-100 pound range.  It makes the modern 450MX thumpers that are around 60-65 pounds look very appealing.

FYI, a cylinder, piston, head, and cover with cam (basically everything above the base gasket) is about 25 pounds.  I think UPS etc may have a 70 pound max on their regular service, so you might still need to figure out how to take more weight off the lower end to squeeze it and the packaging under the limit if trying to ship an engine.  Otherwise, it is a pallet and LTL freight deal..

I think you should use it as a learning aid.  Disassemble the bottom end all the way down to parade rest.  Use the opportunity to accumulate a full set of tools necessary for disassembly and reassembly.  Learn how to use all the special tools.  Understand exactly what is inside, how to get it apart, and how to get it back together properly.  Learn how "NOT" to take it apart (i.e beating on things with a hammer, prying with screw drivers, etc.).  When you use a training aid to learn how to do it right, you have nothing but time.  So, you can do the disassembly and reassembly at your leisure.  No need to rush and break stuff.  I believe that you will find the knowledge invaluable, and it is directly applicable to all sorts of other engines and machinery.

Ultimately, you will gain all this invaluable knowledge and still have all the parts to use as spares or sell on eBay. It's a winner all the way around.