Topic: Removing a cb750 engine

[guitarking135]

Ok let me first get this out of the way. I'm new here. This is my first time messing with an older honda like this and yes I'm building a bobber out of it. I know that is some what taboo amongst the CB world but they bike was cheap and looked like crap but ran great.

So I'm at the point of trying to get the engine out of the bike. I'm also at that point of throwing things and profanity. Is there some trick to getting this thing out of here? I'm not finding a whole lot of help online other than put it on it's side and remove exhaust studs.

 If this helps any the frame is supposedly a 79 although the engine is sohc and the wheels are wire spoke. Also the frame doesn't appear to have the mounts that a 79 should have. All that being said I'm trying to avoid cutting the frame to get it out but dangit there's got to be an easier way that what I'm doing.

Any help? Right now it's stripped down to main frame and engine

[flybox1]

lighten the frame of extra parts as much as possible. wheels, forks, seat, batt, swingarm, etc....
drain the oil and remove the oil filter housing and oil pan.
remove the breather cover on top of the valve cover.
Loosen all engine mount bolts
lean the bike over onto its right side, onto carpet, cardboard, blankets, grass...etc.
take out all the mount bolts from here, and lift the frame up and off.
takes a little twisting and wiggling, but it can be done by one person.

Install a 754 frame kit 

[madScientist]

Hang in there bud you'll get it.

There are a couple ways to do it. However one of the easiest ways i've seen is to remove the engine mount bolts, roll the bike to the yard, put it on it's side, and lift the frame off the engine.

Others have done it with an engine lift and some cajoling. There's also the option of cutting the two parallel bars on the frame under the backbone and welding in gussets to make that section removable. That will also allow you to service the head components in the bike later without having to remove the engine. Search "gordon frame kit"

[saltcitycafe]

+1 really laying it on its side is the way to do it. Yeah it takes some wiggling and swearing but only for a few minutes

[ekpent]

Don't know why everybody has to flop them on there side all the time. My son and and I can have an engine on the bench in less than an hour taking time for a sip here and there without dealing with all the extra hassle. Really not that hard if you have a helper.
  In your case if the engine and frame are not a model match maybe things would be more interesting.
 

[flybox1]

Don't know why everybody has to flop them on there side all the time. My son and and I can have an engine on the bench in less than an hour taking time for a sip here and there without dealing with all the extra hassle. Really not that hard if you have a helper.
 

yeah yeah yeah....helps when you have like 50 bike to practice on 

[lucky]

Do not forget to remove the vent cover (three screws) on top of the engine first AND the oil filter!!  1978 models and earlier.

[mcswny]

Just go slowly and pay attention to when and where you need lift/pull/ and rotate. Because at times you'll have to do all three. It's a small clearance but once you find the sweet spot, its easy (thats what she said, HEY-OH)

[PeWe]

I planned to use the pole method next time. Bike on wheels (3 dollys for wheels and side stand), move the bike out from the engine
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=118994.msg1492658#msg1492658

But I did the frame mod instead when my frame and engine are just repainted, job needed was lifting the head.

[katman]

I have removed 2 on my 75 and 77 during there rebuilds. Carbs, oil filter and top breather off. 2 people right out the side.

[seanbarney41]

Don't know why everybody has to flop them on there side all the time. My son and and I can have an engine on the bench in less than an hour taking time for a sip here and there without dealing with all the extra hassle. Really not that hard if you have a helper.
 

yeah yeah yeah....helps when you have like 50 bike to practice on 

just got one ready to pull tonight, it took me 2 and a half hours to get it to the point where I need a son, ha ha...plus it was an f3 so it had some extra complications

[calj737]

Guitarking - welcome. Here's a link to another section of the forum where models are sorted by serial numbers (you'll find this useful as you progress) http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135918.msg1525298;topicseen#new.  You can also download a manual in this area of the forum.

At the top of your page, use the "Search" function to locate Gordon's frame kit as mentioned by another poster. Several members on here (754 is a member) have heaps of experience and 754 in particular sells another version of the Gordon Frame kit. It will be well worth your time once you get the motor out. In fact, you can use the future installation of it to cut the frame now (per instructions) and facilitate removal now.

You might search "Installing frame kit" to sift through some other threads to aide your efforts.

As you states in the opening, "my first time.. with these older Hondas". Patience, patience, patience. They're great machines but have some idiosyncrasies. Especially dealing with mixed set bike first time out. When you get ready to throw things, walk away, have a beer, read the forum, and go back. Take your time. Read, plan and then do. Your blood pressure will thank you.

Keep posting and use photobucket to post some pictures of your project and issues. Too many great members here willing and able to help you with all your questions.

[goldarrow]

I do it one man show.  Check my 750 build thread for some ideas

[ekpent]

Don't know why everybody has to flop them on there side all the time. My son and and I can have an engine on the bench in less than an hour taking time for a sip here and there without dealing with all the extra hassle. Really not that hard if you have a helper.
 

yeah yeah yeah....helps when you have like 50 bike to practice on 

just got one ready to pull tonight, it took me 2 and a half hours to get it to the point where I need a son, ha ha...plus it was an f3 so it had some extra complications

Call me and I can be your Son for an hour or so     Will there be Cocktails Daddy   

[SohRon]

Lots of good info here. If you're completely stripping your bike down to the frame, leave the engine 'til last and use the "flop over" method as described numerous times above; it's a simple, one man job. If you're only pulling the engine, then get a "son" to help you. Work smart and you'll save yourself some grief.

Don't know why everybody has to flop them on there side all the time.

Apparently. Try it sometime, and you'll understand! 
 

[PeWe]

Lots of good info here. If you're completely stripping your bike down to the frame, leave the engine 'til last and use the "flop over" method as described numerous times above; it's a simple, one man job. If you're only pulling the engine, then get a "son" to help you. Work smart and you'll save yourself some grief.

Don't know why everybody has to flop them on there side all the time.

Apparently. Try it sometime, and you'll understand! 
 

That is the easy way to do it. I did it when I put the bike together last year. Engine on side on the bench. Wife helped me to wrap the frame with swing arm over the engine (tubes close to engine covered with old sheet to avoid scratches). Bolts on.
A friend with more muscles helped me to lift and place the frame + engine on the garage floor placed on a pile of wood + jack. Next was to mount roller bearings + triple tree, forks, front wheel, rear wheel.....
I have done it the other way too when I took it all apart. Back in the days when lifting engine only alone.

[ekpent]

Lots of good info here. If you're completely stripping your bike down to the frame, leave the engine 'til last and use the "flop over" method as described numerous times above; it's a simple, one man job. If you're only pulling the engine, then get a "son" to help you. Work smart and you'll save yourself some grief.

Don't know why everybody has to flop them on there side all the time.

Apparently. Try it sometime, and you'll understand! 
 

I will give it a try someday if I have have to strip one down all the way. promise. I will say watch your fingers if doing it the upright way-- Had a black fingernail from a crush for a very loooong time.

[madmtnmotors]

One person operation. Don't even have to take the wheels off....

[BPellerine]

recip saw just in case?haha bill

[madmtnmotors]

recip saw just in case?haha bill

Used that to cut the "nubs" off of the top of the lower frame mount after the motor was out. Makes going back in a little easier...

every little bit helps!

[chewbacca5000]

One person operation. Don't even have to take the wheels off....

Where did you get the handle and crank setup?  It looks like turning that handle will pull the engine right out without having to mess around at all.

[70CB750]

That is called load leveler and you can buy one at HF or Amazon or even Pep Boys sometimes.  The lifting is done by the engine hoist, this makes sure the engine is leveled or tilted as needed.

http://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Steel-Leveler-Engine-Hoist/dp/B001P5UWUW

[madmtnmotors]

Where did you get the handle and crank setup?  It looks like turning that handle will pull the engine right out without having to mess around at all.

70CB750 Is correct, it is a load leveler. As the handle is cranked the load will move but it is also tilted at the same time. The more you crank the more it tilts and is really overkill for this application. Besides, it hits the handlebars too, and my hoisting rig has already been modified to eliminate this feature. As long as the lifting point is centered on the top of the jig the load will be level, and in my opinion is easiest too remove (when level). I will post some picts later of the current condition of my lifting jig (without the load leveler). I started with this because I had seen someone else do it this way, but realized it was not necessary.

[frodef2]

Just to shamelessly honk my own horn.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=38654.msg403976#msg403976

This is the link to a post i made back in (2008). it shows a similar tool to what's shown in this thread.

since then i have modified the tool to look like this:



All you need is a nylon strap to loop around the generator cover and around the oil galley. As shown in the old thread.
The extraction of the engine was so easy, i actually took the engine out twice, just to get the pictures.


Frode Johansen

[70CB750]

Thanks for sharing, I knew I saw it somewhere here.

[Peterengland]

I find it easier if everything is off the frame apart from the forks as it will sit on centre stand and me and my mate got it out with no jack or lifter or anything. Really don't understand about laying on its side and lifting off the frame.

[Bokeh]

Great thread.  Thought I might share Walmart now has an engine leveler for $20.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Torin-Jacks-Engine-Leveler/14560057

I haven't tried it but should be getting one soon.

[lucky]

Do not forget to remove the oil filter housing and the top cam chain cover before removing the engine.
It tells you that in the Clymers workshop manual.

If you have tantrums and throw things then you should probably not work on bikes or cars.

[70CB750]

Guy I worked for in car shop was just that. 5 minutes into the job, it was already eFing car and eFing job and eFing bolt...

He was killing me by never using lubricant while cutting threads and breaking taps about 2 out of 3. We got the most work done when he was not helping

[oldhatt45]

MadMtnMotors,

That is a really neat setup!
I noticed there is a C shaped bracket attached to the Dragway leveler.
Is that a home built or store bought piece??
If it is a store bought piece, what is it called and where did you get it?
Thanks,

Charlie

[madmtnmotors]

MadMtnMotors,

That is a really neat setup!
I noticed there is a C shaped bracket attached to the Dragway leveler.
Is that a home built or store bought piece??
If it is a store bought piece, what is it called and where did you get it?
Thanks,

Charlie

The C bracket is home built from scrap tubing I had laying around. Took longer to scrounge through all my scrap than it did to actually make the bracket. The load leveler was overkill. I had seen another post that used one, and since I had one laying around I incorporated it into my original design. Turns out I never needed to tilt the load, a level lift worked best. Besides, all that extra hardware was clipping the handlebars so I have since eliminated the load leveler from the bracket. The hardest part is attaching the legs to the engine hoist! the rest is gravy after that...

[oldhatt45]

MadMtnMotors
Thanks!  Guess I'll have to find a buddy to weld up something like that.

Charlie

[madmtnmotors]

oldhatt,
    I'll post some current picts and dimensions this weekend if you like.

[oldhatt45]

MadMtnMotors,

That would be GREAT!!!!!

Thanks,

Charlie

[atm cycles]

I personally do it by myself. Bike on center stand milk crate on right , which is perfect height. Seat off at stratal rear fender chest on frame out right side. But guy I sold an engine to did it this way.   

Bike is pulled from engine not engine from bike.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[B-EZ]

That looks like it would be relatively easy.

[oldhatt45]

I saw another thread that used the same technique.  Pulling the bike off the engine with the engine suspended.  The only question is, how much effort does it take to pull the bike sideways away from the engine??  Can one person do it??  I would much prefer to do something like this or the hoist instead of laying the bike over on the right side as many do.

Thanks,

Charlie

[Nic]

Maneuvering the bike is easy, do a bit at the front, then the back and so on, little bit at a time, no probs.

[atm cycles]

With the engine no longer on the frame half the weight is gone


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk