Topic: Order of disassembly

[CA Joe]

We all feel we are reasonably mechanical  but most of us have probably at least once fought our way for a week through a project only to have someone later inform us that it was a 15 minute job if only we had taken a few minutes to remove the left handed levitation adjustment handle.
So before I start disassembly,
Is there a particular order in which one should completely disassemble a 750 4
Thanks
CA Joe

[the technological J]

i know that the frame removal from the engine is alot easier if you wait till u have a bare frame and not a rolling chassis other than that.... just go at it is my approach

[CycleRanger]

Is there a particular order in which one should completely disassemble a 750 4?

Drain and remove the gas tank, the side covers, the battery, and the seat and place them in a safe location.
Drain the oil from the engine and the oil tank.

After that if it were me I'd start by removing the back wheel and work my way forward from there.

Remember to take lots of photos to help you remember where things go......  It really helps.

[CA Joe]

Thanks guys, I appreciate that and it goes along with what I had researched so far. I'd just rather ask if there is some document out there which gives the order so that I don't start to remove something which then complicates the whole remainder of the job. This is my first experience with Hondas and I've got three to disassemble.
If anyone else has any "GOLDEN" tips please chime in.
Thanks again
CA Joe

[scottly]

I would loosen the rotor bolt while the motor is still in the frame and the chain is still on, so you can keep the motor from turning by putting the trans in gear and applying the rear brake.

[haggeo]

get the engine as clean as possible before opening it it up, wish i would have done that

if you are working solo take the front wheel and rear wheel off before laying the bike on it's side, much easier.

organize everything you remove and label it. i have tons of now random nuts, bolts and doo dads that i have to figure out

[drones76]

Not a specific order but a method.  Get lots of small and medium paper bags.  As you disassemble, place the parts in the bags and write down lots of info about what is in there.  As you put stuff in there, also write a number on it that indicates the order in which stuff was bagged.  Go pretty much in reverse when re-assembling.  Larger stuff in boxes.

I also have a whiteboard in the garage for random notes and things that this dimming gray matter does not want to forget.  And lots of pictures.  Digital cameras are great.

One other rule I have for myself is that I do not put anything in a bag or box that is not cleaned.  This way reassembly does not have to get interrupted to clean parts every time you get to another bag.  It also makes you slow down during disassembly to let what you are doing at each stage sink in.

[CA Joe]

This is all good stuff guys. Keep it coming!
Thanks

[Accolay]

+1 on many many photos.

Small cheap plastic sandwich baggies with a pen and small pieces of paper for identification in conjunction with digital photos. Tie the baggies closed and put together in a secure box or tub with a lid so they can't get lost.

You may find your life gets busy or whatever and can't get to the project for a while. Very handy to have them all together and labeled when you come back many months later.

[CycleRanger]

+1 on many many photos.

Small cheap plastic sandwich baggies with a pen and small pieces of paper for identification in conjunction with digital photos. Tie the baggies closed and put together in a secure box or tub with a lid so they can't get lost.

You may find your life gets busy or whatever and can't get to the project for a while. Very handy to have them all together and labeled when you come back many months later.

Words of wisdom.  I have the better part of a '67 Mustang in baggies, boxes, and plastic cottage cheese containers.  I took it apart three years ago.... 

[mystic_1]

Wherever possible, when you remove something, screw the bolts etc back into their original holes.  Nothing's more irritating than having to go through a pile of bolts with a caliper and a parts book trying to figure out which bolt goes where.

mystic_1

[CA Joe]

Thanks gentlemen I appreciate the input

[tango911]

nice thread

[tmac]

zip lock bags and a sharpie. put parts in bags and label with sharpie. It makes life a hell of a lot easier going back together!! Simple green works great at degreasing ! Good luck, Just got mine all back together down to the last bolt! No left over parts!!!