Tips on engine install on a shaft drive bike

[JTGS850GL]

Well, I'm still waiting on parts before I can complete my GS1100G engine transplant into my GS1000GT. Everything else is ready to go. Carbs rebuilt, engine prepped, frame painted and engine sitting on it's lift.

Just wondering if anyone has any tips on getting the engine installed and the driveshaft connected up with the least amount of aggravation. I'd like to do it without damaging my new rubber driveshaft boot or loosing a finger. I'll be doing the install by myself.

Should I:

Install boot on the engine side first or swing arm side first?

Pull the rear swing arm before engine install?

How to manage those pesky bolts that go between the output flange and the driveshaft?

I'm sure I'll get it done without a hitch, but just wondering what the consensus is on the best way to proceed since I have the time. The manual is a little vague on this. In fact it says to install the boot AFTER the engine is bolted up. Can't see a way to do it that way.

Just a little information gathering before I finish it up. First shaft drive bike that I've R/Red the engine on so any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Steve]

Pull the swingarm.

.

[Guest]

Install the diveshaft and boot after the engine is in. Attach to the boot to the driveshaft then the engine. You can fit a wrench on the flange bolts easily enough by just pulling the boot back, just rotate the shaft to bring each bolt up to the spot where the wrench can reach them. This is sure going to be a great bike once you're done. Are you putting an 1100 rear diff. in?

[JTGS850GL]

Install the diveshaft and boot after the engine is in. Attach to the boot to the driveshaft then the engine. You can fit a wrench on the flange bolts easily enough by just pulling the boot back, just rotate the shaft to bring each bolt up to the spot where the wrench can reach them. This is sure going to be a great bike once you're done. Are you putting an 1100 rear diff. in?

When you say "install the driveshaft and boot after the engine is in", do you mean pulling the rear swing arm off before the engine install? Seems like the would be no room to put the boot on unless I do this. I removed the engine with the driveshaft and swing arm in place.

No plan as of now to do the 1100 rear diff but anything is possible. Would the change in gearing make a noticeable change? The bike is evolving as time goes on. Just can't seem to stop working on it.

[Guest]

It will of course make things easier if you remove the swing arm first and then bolt everything back up to the engine. The gearing from the 1100G's will bring your rpm's down approximately 300rpm at highway speed so I've been told.

[JTGS850GL]

OK then. Gives me the opportunity to paint the swing arm and related components.

[JTGS850GL]

I may consider doing the rear diff transplant in the future. Right now I'm just wanting to get her back on the road and see how she feels. Thanks for the heads up on the read diff swap.