lifting engines

dan r · 06-02-2007, 11:31 AM

have any of you ever rigged a handy/easy way of lifting a big twin engine into a frame?
i would guess at something that bolts to the top motor mount studs or maybe the exhaust ports?
i have done it forever by hand but that's no longer an option for me.
long story short, broke bones, steel plates...

have any pix for ideas?

thanks...

skidlid · 06-02-2007, 12:00 PM

Dan a few years back i had smashed me right leg to fuck and needed to get my panhead motor out, the boys called it the dead horse method, lay the bike down ( on blankets and foam ) then take out the four engine mount bolts and pry it out, in fact i lifted the frame up and the engine was on its side.

As to getting it back in, its back to the fucking pain in the arse method.

I really do not think you could design something that would eliviate the problems of matching the mounts at the same time, your trying to squeeze the engine tilted slightly backwards and towards yourself.

Off course you could reverse the procedure to return the engine, this should not be a problem.

More hands in this case do not make light work.

Ride Long & Safe Bros

Vinny the Fucknut

StarWolve · 06-02-2007, 01:13 PM

I've used the "motor on its side" method when I was in the garage alone and wanted to drop my mock-up motor into my hardtailed XS frame. It works alright, I would just use a lot of padding if the paint is done or you're concerned about scratches on the motor.

jbfrmca · 06-02-2007, 02:17 PM

i'm pretty sure that the honda-davidson factory has been using fixtures for years now. dan i'm sure that if you did some digging that you of all people would figure out something. good luck and keep us posted.

Soapbox · 06-02-2007, 02:29 PM

You guys must have noodles for arms. I easily lifted the motor and set it in place.

dan r · 06-02-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soapbox

You guys must have noodles for arms. I easily lifted the motor and set it in place.

one arm engine setting is past what i want to do these days, 30 years ago sure.

noodles, hardly but i do have a new fork to eat em with...

CShroom · 06-02-2007, 03:08 PM

It might be possible to fab up a cradle that can bolt to a standard car engine stand. Something in a "U" shape to bolt up to the arms that can wrap the lower parts of the jugs. Then you could wheel it back and forth, plus rock the motor a bit without worrying about it falling.

Then you would have to figure out a way to either get the engine stand to drop low enough for the frame, or figure out a way to get the frame up high enough to be level with the stand.

Not sure if that makes sense or not, it is still early on the West Coast.

Edit: Dan, that is some pretty serious hardware there. Is that fork for salads or main courses?

Dr. Jett · 06-02-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan r

one arm engine setting is past what i want to do these days, 30 years ago sure.

noodles, hardly but i do have a new fork to eat em with...

Yo man, gimme back my fro' pick!

Abe_Lugo · 06-02-2007, 04:51 PM

I do it like Mikey does it on the OCC, just pick it up a drop it in the frame, Im talking a Vtwin engine. 4 cylinder is a different story