• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

How to put engine back in without damaging paint?

Spiff

Spiff

Forum Mentor
Hi, my frame has a fair amount of scrapes and nicks so I was thinking about painting it while the engine is out.
But how do you get the engine back in without destroying the new paint job?
I was thinking of putting some foam or taping rags around the frame, how have YOU done it?
 
You've got the right idea. Corrugated cardboard taped on is my preference as you can cut / tear it off easily.
 
Engine on frame

Engine on frame

I saw some pics in here, the engine was laid on it's side and the frame was lowered around onto it.

I'll try to remember the thread.
 
cover as much of the frame as you can, also get a few mates round to help you lift it in.2 or 3 people can lift it in so carefully you wont scratch a thing.
 
Something like this.....it's what I did

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showpost.php?p=1646674&postcount=994

however you will still get a few scratches, well I did...

P1080816.jpg



the scrapes

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showpost.php?p=1646677&postcount=996

.
 
I was lucky as I had done a full top end engine rebuild so my engine was dry and I was able to leave the oil pan and valve cover off. That's a ton of extra play. 2-3 inches up and down. I just slid it in sideways off a low wood steps tool I had. Cardboard around the frame tubes is waaay better than rags.
Many guys have used a motorcycle jack to do the same thing ....sliding it in sideways. IMO if the engine is lowered in with the engine hoist it will make for a harder time lining up mounting holes. It surely can be done though.
Just protect that nice fresh paint and you will find a way :)
 
Seriously though, I wrap the frame tubes with painters tape. You can also use pipe insulation in some areas. It's hard to get out from the lower frame tubes though without destroying it.
 
Bare frame

Bare frame

The method I mentioned below was with a bare-bones frame.
 
I did my GS550 recently without much trouble. Helps having two people. Also, on my bike engine can only go in/out of right side as seen while sitting on the bike.

Bike on center stand.
Put floor jack under/between bottom frame tubes
Place piece if 2x6x6 on jack and raise it to point where it just clears the bottom right side frame tube/engine mount point.
I placed engine on a small wheeled dally which I built up using 4x4s to a hight just above the bottom right frame tube/engine mount point.
Roll/move engine close next to right side frame making sure it is centered so as to clear all frame tubes and engine mounts.
Carefully walk the engine into frame transferring it from dally to board on jack stand.

It doesn't take much to transfer weight of engine to jack stand. Once engine is partly on jack stand have a buddy hold it and keep it from tipping out. Then carefully continue pushing engine into frame while moving/raising/lowering jack stand to clear/center motor inside rear engine mounts. The rest is easy.

Some scrapping is inevitable, suggest taping hight points on frame. Watch out for front frame tubes around area at the level of the front valve cover.

Hope that helps. Good luck.
 
Pipe insulation works great.

P1000775-w.jpg


Using 3/8" steel rod to lift the lump in with help from herself.

P1000777-w.jpg
 
I ended up using pipe insulation when installing the engine. Worked out great and no scratched paint :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top