I arrived at the point today where I needed to fit the GSX1100ET motor back in to the frame. I'd been half dreading it as I slipped a disc last October and my back still isn't right - and I didn't want that pain again. So instead of my usual brute strength (and ignorance) approach I gave the problem some thought.
I used a block and tackle to lift the motor on to a block of wood, roughly 15 inches cubed. This block was already sitting on a bit of plastic coated chipboard (cheap old furniture) so was easy to slide around. So I slid the block / motor up against the RH side of the frame. Next I slid the motor into the frame until the point of balance was just still on the block of wood. From the LH side I slid a trolley jack, topped with a pad of rags, under the sump and just took the weight. Pulled the trolley jack across to the LH side and gently lowered. With a bit of grease smeared on the bottom rear mounts to smooth things (I knew things would be tight as the frame has just been powder coated) the motor dropped in beautifully. Popped in the bottom rear bolt, moved the jack to the front of the motor and lifted. Lined up the front brackets and job done.
With the frame all wrapped up in fluted cardboard and masking tape I didn't touch the finish at all. Why didn't I think of this technique years ago? It might take 10 minutes longer (fishing out the jack etc) but it's a piece of cake and I know now that if I'm still around at 80 I can still do the job.
I used a block and tackle to lift the motor on to a block of wood, roughly 15 inches cubed. This block was already sitting on a bit of plastic coated chipboard (cheap old furniture) so was easy to slide around. So I slid the block / motor up against the RH side of the frame. Next I slid the motor into the frame until the point of balance was just still on the block of wood. From the LH side I slid a trolley jack, topped with a pad of rags, under the sump and just took the weight. Pulled the trolley jack across to the LH side and gently lowered. With a bit of grease smeared on the bottom rear mounts to smooth things (I knew things would be tight as the frame has just been powder coated) the motor dropped in beautifully. Popped in the bottom rear bolt, moved the jack to the front of the motor and lifted. Lined up the front brackets and job done.
With the frame all wrapped up in fluted cardboard and masking tape I didn't touch the finish at all. Why didn't I think of this technique years ago? It might take 10 minutes longer (fishing out the jack etc) but it's a piece of cake and I know now that if I'm still around at 80 I can still do the job.
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