What side does the engine come out?

[James England]

Could someone please remind me of what side the engine comes out of the frame on an XS1100? I seem to remember that the bike can be laid on its left side and the frame lifted off the engine? Am I correct?

[fredintoon]

Could someone please remind me of what side the engine comes out of the frame on an XS1100? I seem to remember that the bike can be laid on its left side and the frame lifted off the engine? Am I correct?

Hi James,
I have seen posts saying it will come out with less difficulty if laid on one side rather than t'other
even if I can't remember which side it was but that engine is kinda heavy for one person to move either way.
Let me suggest using lifting straps and four burly friends who will work for beer.

[James England]

Yes,I did lift one myself once but it didn't matter re the frame as the bike was only fit to be broken for spares. Getting it out won't be the problem really. It's more when getting the engine back into a newly powder-coated frame that is the concern. If only I had some friends, burly or otherwise!

[bikerphil]

If you remove the middle drive, it will come out/go in either side, much easier than with the drive in place, JMHO

[TomB]

As Fred says, stripped down to frame and engine, lie it on its side on sponge/foam and lift the frame off the engine. And either side is easy when doing it this way, but easier without middle drive off, though I always do them with it on (too lazy to remove it). The last one I did on my own when re-assembling, lowering the newly painted frame over the engine without chipping the new paint.

Oh, and oil filter off too!

[BA80]

Lift and twist to the right and it'll slide right out the right side. With or without the middle drive.

I found it's easier if the oil pan and oil pump are off.

[crazy steve]

If you're talking about a stripped bare frame with just the motor left in it, I've laid the motor/frame over on the clutch side (with some blocks to hold the motor level and an old blanket between it and the floor) and lifted the frame up/off the motor. Removing either the cams cover or the oil filter will give adequate clearance. Reverse to reinstall.

This is definitely a two-man job for me (as I have a bad back), but someone without that limitation could probably do this unassisted, although having two people will make it easier as the frame is a rather clumsy piece.

Install the centerstand next, tip the assembly back upright, tip the frame forward and extend the stand, then tip the frame up at the front and put a stand under the front lower frame crosstube. It's now high enough to install everything else... Having someone to open the stand and set the jack will be a big help, but this could be anybody as no strength required. Result...



Getting the motor off the floor while it's out is another issue; I tip it upright, wrap a nylon sling around the cylinders, lift it with my engine cherrypicker, then install it on my engine stand.

[TomB]

Steve, with the sling bite on the back does the engine sit straight?

I thought about making a sling to hold the engine to install into an upright bike by sliding sideways like you're lowering the frame over the engine, that way you could do it to a complete bike.

[James England]

If you're talking about a stripped bare frame with just the motor left in it, I've laid the motor/frame over on the clutch side (with some blocks to hold the motor level and an old blanket between it and the floor) and lifted the frame up/off the motor. Removing either the cams cover or the oil filter will give adequate clearance. Reverse to reinstall.

This is definitely a two-man job for me (as I have a bad back), but someone without that limitation could probably do this unassisted, although having two people will make it easier as the frame is a rather clumsy piece.

Install the centerstand next, tip the assembly back upright, tip the frame forward and extend the stand, then tip the frame up at the front and put a stand under the front lower frame crosstube. It's now high enough to install everything else... Having someone to open the stand and set the jack will be a big help, but this could be anybody as no strength required. Result...



Getting the motor off the floor while it's out is another issue; I tip it upright, wrap a nylon sling around the cylinders, lift it with my engine cherrypicker, then install it on my engine stand.

That looks nice!

[crazy steve]

Tom, it's not perfectly level but it's not far off. With my back, I've had to be 'creative' to work large heavy bits....

[TomB]

I was thinking of bolting/clamping a 6' length of bar to the back of the engine, with engine sat next to the bike on a table with one end of the bar sat through the frame, using a chain block slung to each end of the 6' bar the engine could be lifted, the table moved and the bike slid sideways over the engine.

At least that way an engine can be lifted out of a complete bike.

It may just be a hare-brained idea

[TomB]

And yep, feelin the back thing, only with me its my hip. Old age sucks

[crazy steve]

I was thinking of bolting/clamping a 6' length of bar to the back of the engine, with engine sat next to the bike on a table with one end of the bar sat through the frame, using a chain block slung to each end of the 6' bar the engine could be lifted, the table moved and the bike slid sideways over the engine.

At least that way an engine can be lifted out of a complete bike.

It may just be a hare-brained idea

If you do these things enough, having the 'tools' makes a big difference... That engine stand makes working on the motors much easier...

And the 'bite' is actually a bit too far back, as the motor wants to tip forward just a bit. If you put some 'arms' facing forward on your cross bar, you could adjust the level...

[mack]

removal

I've always taken mine out and reinstalled from the right side. oil filter housing removed prior and usually I have the head off to to make room and lighten the load as my back isn't very good either. Carbs I do from the right side as well.

[DiverRay]

I just did an R&R on Ed's bike. I pulled and installed from the left side. I took off the oil filter, carbs, airbox,and take the ballast resistor off is all I needed for room. We DID pull the shocks loose, and removed the pivot bolts from the swing arm, as that helps with the U-joint assembly.
Oh, I'll have to get a picture of my engine stand up. I bolt only to the lower case, so I can split the cases on the stand.