marmaladedad

Hardcore dude. I can't imagine undertaking a project like this.

Hawkrider

Cabin fever has hit! I can't stand not riding anymore so I'm falling back on wrenching.

No, this thread has not died.

Stripped the bike down to the frame this weekend. Brought it to the basement for stripping. Frame will be yellow. Tank, sidecovers, cafe fairing, and cafe seat will be gloss black. Still have to order a bunch of **** but it's coming along slowly. I'm running into a bit of a conundrum. To get the motor out of the frame was easy. I put a carpet on the floor, layed the bike on the side, and lifted the frame off the motor (after twisting and turning to get the right angle), then uprighted the motor. Lost some oil but no big deal. Now here's my problem. When I put the motor back in the frame everything will be freshly painted all pretty and stuff. How the hell do I get a 200# lump of a motor back into the frame without scratching the **** out of them both. This is a twin tube cradle frame. I don't think I'll be able to install the same as I removed it without knocking the hell out of both of 'em. Anyone ever installed a motor like this before?

RK1

Greg;

Haven't done it but looking at the structure of the frame, and considering the width of the motor, I think the only way is pretty much the reverse of how you got it out.

This might help...

http://www.xs750e.com/page18.htm

Hawkrider

Thanks. That is where I originally got the idea to remove the motor. Guess I'll just have to be extra careful and wrap the frame with towels as shown in that link.

RK1

Sure. The guy at the link seems to think pulling the oil filter, cam and sump covers makes it easier. Looks like if you do that, wrap the frame and maybe do any prying with something like coated tire irons it ought to go OK. I've always thought those XS750s were nice looking bikes.

captainchaos

Hey Greg post up some more pics as you go and keep us posted. I just picked up an '80 XS650 for cheap a couple weeks ago. Runs like a champ, what a fun bike. Been fixing little stuff and cleaning alot. Something about cheap old projects!