Best way to fit motor in frame?

I have my frame, swingarm and engine cradle back from the powder coater and should be getting my engine back real soon. My question is what would be the safest way to put the engine back in without scratching the frame? I may be doing this myself. Should the motor mounts be attached to the motor first or the frame? And thanks in advance for any tips, Chuck.

If you are doing this alone, the only way is to wrap the frame tubes (pipe insulation works well) and with the engine/cradle assembly on its side and elevated on two inch blocks, fit the frame (26 lbs) over the engine. Slide the rear mount stud through and then fit the front mount.

Turn the engine and frame upright and complete the assembly of the rear mount. At this stage you can attach the swing arm to the cradle.

Trying to manhandle the engine/trans lump into the frame will result in chasing it accross the floor and a high risk of scratching that new paint.

If the forks and front wheel are still on the frame, two people can fit the engine assembly to the frame, but with a bare frame it is much easier to fit the frame to engine assembly.

Should the transmission also be put in the cradle before the motor or can it be put in later? It's a 72 Combat. I thought I heard it was a bit of a task with the motor already in. Thanks again Ron for your advice, Chuck.

Hi there, personnaly I lay the engine on the floor on timing side , and fit the frame with its craddle and gearbox around, I found it more easier when alone, the floor was covered with carboard , to protect the paint.You must fit the gearbox into before, no way to fit it after , unless moving the engine inside the plates........my two cents.Pierre

Yes, install the tranny first, it's a BIG headache otherwise.

Thanks guys, Is it the MK III cradle that you can remove the transmission without undoing the motor? Or do you need to modify the cradle on it to do this? For some reason I thought I heard something like that? But I will install it first, Have a great day and thanks again. Chuck.

I sure hope the gearbox can be installed after the engine, as I've had to do it three times since getting my bike back together.

I do, however, have a MkIII cradle and swingarm.

I think I've successfully suppressed the memory of fitting my engine, though I believe I had the front Iso installed, head off and just lifted through the frame. My lower back twinged when I wrote that, so I must be getting close to the truth.

Doesn't quite fit on the pre-MKIII models. I had the cradle modified on my Mk2 850 so it does fit.

As for installing the engine, my favorite method is to get a couple of strong guy friends to do it for me! 8)

Debby

Thanks Dr_Hiller and Debby, So I have a game plan now. It's good to know that if the trans has to come out of the 75 I can do it without moving the engine. I hope the 72 won't need to come out for some time as it will have all new gears, bearings, main shaft and bushings. Oh and if anyone was wondering Beltdriveman is still around and doing fine, I didn't want to start a post just for that info but it was cool to hear, Kinda made my day, Chuck.