Tear down

[gregvhen]

how hard is it to get everything off the frame so as to paint the frame.  I wanna pull everything out and remove the swing arm and paint that a differant color.  Do i need any special tools to get the tripes off? and anyone whose done about how long did take you.

[GSX600_Bmore]

Ask BaltimoreGS, he just did it a week ago

[O.C.D.]

I tore mine down sans engine in about 2 hours.  This was my first time though.  I could do it now in about 45 minutes I think.  It is not hard at all.  Just a jigsaw puzzle of fun, lol.

EDIT:  Tools wise I would make sure you have a good set of metric socket-allens in the 3/8" variety.  I got both SAE and Metric from sears for $17 as they were half off.  Those you will need no questions about it.

[tt_four]

tearing anything apart is always the easy part, it's putting things back together that takes a long time. Just mark things and take pictures for when you need to put it back together. See if you can get someone to help you lift the engine out of the frame so you don't drop it or anything, but other than that, you should be able to pull it all apart with some wrenches, sockets, and hex keys. The triples don't need any special tools to come off.

[BaltimoreGS]

tearing anything apart is always the easy part, it's putting things back together that takes a long time. Just mark things and take pictures for when you need to put it back together. See if you can get someone to help you lift the engine out of the frame so you don't drop it or anything, but other than that, you should be able to pull it all apart with some wrenches, sockets, and hex keys. The triples don't need any special tools to come off.

+1

Take a bunch of detailed pictures first to aid in re-assembly.  Kay's bike took a little over an hour to tear down with 3 people and plenty of BS-ing.  Teardown is always the easy part.  I'm guessing probably 6-8 hours for careful re-assembly.  Getting the engine back in is always the biggest chore, have a friend or 2 help to make it easier.  If you have the equipment, sand blast your frame before you paint it.  Before re-assembling, wrap the engine area of the frame with 3 layers of masking tape to help prevent nicking the paint when you wrestle the engine back in.  Good luck!

-Jessie

[The Buddha]

I assume 2-3 X the time for re assembling it. Also if you take it apart slower and document it better, it will cut down the re fit time.
The longer you wait, and less familiar you with the bike are the longer re assembly will take.

A GS, I can almost buy in bits and pieces and throw it all back together.
The XS650 I am fiddling with of late seems to be the same way ... simple bike simple everything, even the manual is freaking small for it.

But my GR will be a nightmare I can say that even right now ... not even started fitting it back.

Cool.
Buddha.