A motorcycle engine is a part that the entire motorcycle is all about. It is built of many pieces and is one of the most complicated motorcycle parts. With that being said, some may ask if it is even smart to try to fix the engine on your own, especially if you don’t have any previous experience or knowledge.
Since the engine is one of the biggest parts, it all depends on what kind of problem you are dealing with, and based on that; we will show you what could you do on your own (how to remove the engine from the frame) and what you should leave to experienced technicians.
So how do you remove a motorcycle engine? The first thing you need to do is secure your motorcycle on a stand. Drain all the fluids, remove the battery and take off the fuel tank. You also need to remove motorcycle parts like carburetor, clutch, cases, final drive. Once you have done all these, unscrew the bolts and take off the engine.
A motorcycle engine is a very complex part, and we think that there may be problems that you should definitely leave to your experienced mechanic. In this article, we will show you how you can remove your engine from a motorcycle frame.
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Motorcycle Engine Rebuild: What You Need to Know
If you want to install an upgrade on your motorcycle or fix any worn or broken parts, you don’t have to pay a large sum of money for your engine to be repaired. You might as well do it by yourself in your garage if you have the tools required and enough free time.
Be cautious, especially if you are working with large equipment and engines since they are very heavy, and you must keep yourself safe at all times. Before starting any work on your engine, ensure that you have cleared all the space you need and organized your necessary tools.
Here is a great article about How Does a Motorcycle Engine Work, so click on this link if you want to learn more.
How Do you Remove a Motorcycle Engine?
Clean all possible debris and remove any potential tripping hazards which could hurt you or damage your bike. Once you have cleaned your workspace, you can start with the process.
List of things and tools you’ll need:
- Motorcycle’s servicing manual
- Torque wrench
- Catch containers
- Regular hand tools such as pliers, sockets, wrenches, measuring tools, and screwdrivers
- Lubricants
Additional tools that you will need may vary depending on your motorcycle’s model, make, and engine type. The things mentioned in the above list give you the essential equipment you’ll need to get before starting the process.
For an extensive list of tools required for your motorcycle, you will need to look for your motorcycle’s exact specifications, which you can find on the manufacturer’s official web page or in your bike’s manual if you own one. You will be much faster with proper preparation and won’t have any unknowns in your project.
As soon as you get all the tools required, you can start with step number one, be prepared to remove the engine; you’ll need to remove and disconnect many of the bike’s parts and elements that could interrupt you in the process.
The following steps allow you to look at the other parts and see if there are any worn-out parts or any damages and, if so, which ones need to be removed and changed. If you wish to put some motorcycle upgrades while rebuilding and fixing your engine, these steps will ease you a lot.
Step 1: Clean Your Motorcycle
Cleaning your motorcycle is a very important task to do before disassembling its elements and parts. With that being done, you are lowering any chance of damaging your motorcycle’s exterior or damaging bolts. One other thing this step does is it prevents any debris or dirt from gathering on your workspace.
Step 2: Secure Your Bike
Safety must be your number one priority while working with engines. To secure yourself and your motorcycle, take a motorcycle lift or any other device to stabilize your motorcycle and keep it secured. There is a big possibility that you will need a lot of greases to loosen some of these parts since they are not easily removed.
Step 3: Drain All the Fluids
After you have secured your motorcycle, take a few pieces of separate catch containers in which you will drain the fluids. If you have any doubts on how to drain your motorcycle’s oil, look for it in your owner’s manual or on the web page of your model.
Tip: You can do two things in one project by planning to rebuild your engine in a period when you need to replace your oil.
Step 4: Remove Back Brake Pedal
This step could be necessary now or later, depending on your motorcycle model and type.
Step 5: Take out Battery, Muffler, and Header Pipes
Remove your battery to increase your safety measures. Take a look at your owner’s manual to do this step adequately.
Step 6: Remove the Gas Tank
By removing the gas tank, you will have more space to access the engine. Drain all the gasoline out of the tank before removing it, so it is easier to take it off; there is also a possibility that you will need to remove any side paneling that stops you from direct approach to the gas tank.
IMPORTANT: This step must be done in a well-ventilated workspace, and you must be of great caution not to ignite any open flame or cause any sparks.
Step 7: Remove the Carburetors and Airbox
Detach the cables first if your carburetors need to be removed from the top; otherwise, if they need to be removed through the sides, it will be easier to remove the cables later. Consider cleaning the carburetors while they are taken off your motorcycle.
Step 8: Take out the Final Drive
The following drive types can be involved in the final drive:
You either will or won’t have to remove the final drive for getting access to the engine, which depends on the drive your motorcycle contains.
Step 9: Remove the Cases
Taking the cases off will make disassembling the engine much easier.
Step 10: Remove the Clutch
Removing the clutch cover is the first step you need to take. Take a rag and place it under the clutch just in case there is any liquid left inside.
Important: You must know in which order you have removed the clutch plates, so when you have to put them back, you do it in the right way.
Take a look at the condition of the clutch plates and in case of any worn or damaged signs, consider replacing them.
Step 11: Remove the Mounting Bolts from the Engine
This is the final step that involves parts. After finishing this step, make sure you don’t damage or drop the engine. It would be smart to have someone help you make the engine stable while you’re taking off the bolts. Make a final visual inspection before removing the engine to ensure you have detached all the wires and plugs.
Step 12: Remove Your Engine with Caution
Some makes and models require the engine to be twisted and pulled out from the side of the frame. If this needs to be done on your motorcycle, avoid pulling off loose hanging wires and hoses.
Watch this video about removing motorcycle engine from your motorcycle casing:
Congratulations!
After completing these twelve steps, you removed the engine from the motorcycle’s frame. Once you have done that, you can access the engine and, after opening it, do any necessary improvement or repairment needed.
These steps are the most often ones required for removing your engine. Still, consider that many motorcycle types and models could need additional steps, or some may need fewer steps. Make sure you look at your owner’s manual and do the research before you start this project.