Pulling the Motor

[Loudpipe]

I'm about to pull the engine out of my '78 F2 to do the infamous valve guides, but I need something to sit the motor on once it's out of the frame.  I don't want to just sit it on the concrete floor, and I don't have a hoist.  Any suggestions?  I was thinking of building some sort of box from wood...but then I haven't done this before so I don't know.

[KB02]

Wood would work fine.  You'll want to take some measurements when you build your box so that your engine will sit level. Remember that you have the oil pan underneither and that will make it tilt off in one direction or another. Plus the wood will do far less damage (if any) than a concrete floor will.

Do a search for Engine Stands. You'll see what others of us have done.

[fuzzybutt]

a regular milk crate is the perfect height to slide the motor out of the frame, directly on to. strong enough too.

[Gordon]

a regular milk crate is the perfect height to slide the motor out of the frame, directly on to. strong enough too.

That's how I did it with the 750.  When I pulled the 550 engine I used a hand-truck that doubles as a flat cart.  The engine sat firmly on the rails with the oil pan in between, and it was mobile.

[Sweep]

I have a good friend that I just call over when I pull/load up the motor.  It's really easy with two people.  Just pull it out to the right side of the bike after wrapping the frame with cellophane etc.  Pull it out onto a crate or a board of wood (I use a towel or rags on the wood too).  My second step is to bring the motor onto a workbench and I just turn a nice sturdy tupperware container absconded from the kitchen under the motor if splitting the cases (motor upside down) or just use a 2x4 or two to let the motor sit level on the bench.

We're both strong guys and I wouldn't want to carry it around for more than a minute or so that's for sure but it's not bad at all.  I even lifted the motor onto a bench by myself once but I won't do that again soon since I've only one back.

[Roscoe]

Hi. When I pulled the engine out of my 78 F2 I bought an engine stand for NZ$85 and made up some brackets to fit the engine. Have a look at the phot's below to see what I mean. Cheers, Roscoe







Hope this helps.

[Ilbikes]

I like that engine stand----

[Roscoe]

I like that engine stand----

Its easy to use. You can turn the motor 360 degrees to work on. They are for sale on www.trademe.co.nz for NZ$85 new. I'm not sure about shipping to USA though.

[fuzzybutt]

never thought of using my engine stand for the cb motor, guess i need to find my 351w stroker motor a new home.

[78CB750CAFE]

I have a Black and Decker "Workmate" which is sort of a portable work table/vise thingee that makes a perfect engine stand. It is about waist high and stable, I just open the vise jaws all the way up, place 2 24" long cuts of 2x4 on it to keep the oil pan up and out of the way and throw a rachet strap lightly around it unless one of my toddlers gets too curious (a 200lb motor falling 3 feet would do some damage). It is a perfect wortking height for me, and with a double layer or cardboard under the whole thing I can push it across the garage without much trouble.

[Loudpipe]

Where did you get the milk crate?! I've tried all the local grocery stores, and for some reason they are quite fond of their milk crates...not one of 3 wanted to part with one, even for money.

[Gordon]

Where did you get the milk crate?! I've tried all the local grocery stores, and for some reason they are quite fond of their milk crates...not one of 3 wanted to part with one, even for money.

You can't buy them from the grocery store because they don't belong to the grocery store.  They belong to the dairy.

Milk crates are kind of like umbrellas.  You never buy them and you never get rid of them.  They just sort of appear and disappear throughout your life.  

 

[paulages]

I like that engine stand----

Its easy to use. You can turn the motor 360 degrees to work on. They are for sale on www.trademe.co.nz for NZ$85 new. I'm not sure about shipping to USA though.

been thinking of modifying a stand i have in the same fashion, but the two concerns i have are: 1) what do you do when you split the cases? and 2) not sure if i trust those little welds with my engines.

my workbench works great for me (sits upright fine with the oil pan removed), and is well lit, but i wouldn't mind having the engine stand, just to clear up space on the workbench during the rebuild.

[Roscoe]

You can do it 2 ways. Either put the engine in the upright position and use the front and rear attachment points or make up a little extra stand to take the front pin. All it needs to be is a couple of 4 x 2's with the hole for the pin

[bwaller]

Here's another version. Like paulages mentioned I wanted to be able to split the cases without changing positions, just have to tighten the tensioner on the top case, spin it upside down, then pull the lower case bolt. I made the brackets adjustable to fit just about any bike engine.

It's a $35 Chinese special and although I'd never trust it with a automotive engine, it's supported several 750 mills.

[754]

Quick & dirty method.. get it up on a bench. Sit it upright stick a 2x4 under the front motormount ledge.. it will sit like a rock. now you can do everything except the oil pan and splitting cases.. for that flip it upside down and make a wooden block to hold up the back.

Get it on the bench and get some parts ordered.. then build your stand while waiting for parts..

[Weird Beard Canuck]

I bought a set of cheap long 3/8" socket extensions (any round stock would do) and pushed them through the front and rear mounting holes. I supported the engine with a metal frame on wheels (like a rolling cart with no top) jack stands or blocks of wool would also work.

[paulages]

Here's another version. Like paulages mentioned I wanted to be able to split the cases without changing positions, just have to tighten the tensioner on the top case, spin it upside down, then pull the lower case bolt. I made the brackets adjustable to fit just about any bike engine.

It's a $35 Chinese special and although I'd never trust it with a automotive engine, it's supported several 750 mills.

that's what i'm talking about brent. flipping it upside-down especially important with the smaller fours.

[bwaller]

It's true you don't need a stand to work on an engine, get a strong friend to help pull it and heave it on the bench!

[Gordon]

It's true you don't need a stand to work on an engine, get a strong friend to help pull it and heave it on the bench!

Or better yet, get TWO strong friends to heave it on the bench while you stand back and supervise.  I mean, you wouldn't want to risk spilling your beer, would you?

[andy750]

You can't buy them from the grocery store because they don't belong to the grocery store.  They belong to the dairy.

Milk crates are kind of like umbrellas.  You never buy them and you never get rid of them.  They just sort of appear and disappear throughout your life.  

 
[/quote]

So true! I have 2 of them and no idea where they came from - but they are great for holding the engine. And ~ the right height for sliding engine out of frame and onto milk crate. Also can be used for sitting on an polishing bike or holding your old oil bottles to take away.....endless uses!

cheers
Andy

[KB02]

I ended up snagging a bunch from a neighbor who was moving away. Basically, he had formed his garden out of milk crates (land lord wouldn't let him dig in the ground. At any time you can usually find about four of them hanging around my garage. Two of them have been given the duty of "Shelving" and the other two are my seats / paint stands.   

[754]

I wouldnt trust a 750 motor upside down on the bracket shown at the top of this page.. that is a lot of weight to put on that thin tube.

On my stand we made it hit in the starter cavity so you dont see a mark,,bit we bent the first one..

[paulages]

It's true you don't need a stand to work on an engine, get a strong friend to help pull it and heave it on the bench!

Or better yet, get TWO strong friends to heave it on the bench while you stand back and supervise.  I mean, you wouldn't want to risk spilling your beer, would you?

that's what i'm talking about, brent. gotta have some sort of workplace standards.