Trouble installing front engine mount

I finally have my combat engine back from Leo Goff. I am in the process of getting it installed. The bike has been completely reassembled oher than the engine/primary. I went to install the engine with head last night and thought I was following the proper order. I installed the front iso into the front engine mount, but left it separate from the engine. I managed to get all the rear engine mount bolts installed easily. Now I am beating the hell out of my newly painted frame (even with foam protection) trying to get the front mount installed. Is there a trick for this? Should I install the Iso caps after the front mount is bolted to the engine? Should the front mount have been bolted to the engine before the engine was installed into the frame? Thanks for your help. Im getting very excited. The bike has been torn down for 2 years.

I renewed my front isolastic rubbers this summer, and I did find it a real puzzle to get that front mount out – by the time I'd given the mount a fresh coat of paint and renewed the rubbers I'd forgotten my method of removal, so I had another puzzle putting it back in ... But it can be done, without bashing anything, and in the case of my vernier isolastics the end caps/abutments were installed when I did it. Your photo shows the engine installed but no headsteady, lifting the engine relative to the frame will surely help, so I'd suggest strapping it up or just installing the headsteady, if you haven't already. If you have, maybe try removing the headsteady and strapping the engine up as far as it'll go – although I managed the job without going so far as that. HTH.

There is no headsteady installed yet. I had tried removing all but the lowest rear engine bolt and pivoting the whole engine back, but to no avail. I think I need to give it some more tinkering with a fresh brain.

The front engine mount needs to be fitted to the engine first. The other option is to leave it off all together and fit it from under the front of the engine once the engine is in position.

Did you upgrade the Iso's to the Vernier type from the shim type, if so did you either use the MK3 vernier and narrow the front mount (both sides are made equal, so you have 2 short ends not one short and one long) or buy the Pre MK3 vernier which does not need the front mount narrowed.

The iso’s are new and they are the pre MK3 vernier that dont need the front narrowed. They are from RGM. I did a trial run before and the iso’s fit ,although snug.

Yes I fit it first . No headsteady. Drop her (engine) into place. Or fight and grumble the other way. I see you have the transmission in place first . Good.

Figured it out. Took the end caps off the iso’s and removed all but the lower bolt on the rear mount. Was then able to bolt front mount on, then rotate engine back to put iso caps back on. Wish I would have figured this out before I beat the paint up on my frame. Oh well. Thanks for everyones advice.

That's gonna be a good-looking bike! Please send us pictures when you get it put together.

Heres a couple pics of it with the body parts temporarily sitting on it before I had the engine back. Engine was gone for a long time. I will definitely post some pics when I am done. Thanks