how to actually pull the engine

[johnny ro]

I mean, do people use lifts, or jacks with a plate under, or a few big friends?

Once out, do people put the thing on a flat surface/bench without worry of tipping or rolling sideways?

I need pull the head and redo a bent valve, a low mile nice engine.

Thanks

[johnny ro]

the bike is by now stripped, down to only remove harness and side frame rail, to remove the engine.

[The Buddha]

The 89 frame has the removable frame rail in a slightly different configuration compared to the 90 on making it harder to remove - which suzuki must have realized when they tried to remove the engine out of one of those prototypes and they re-jigged for 90 on.
I have never taken an 89 out or reinstalled. But the method is the same as the rest as described in the manual, just more swearing.
Cool.
Buddha.

[herennow]

Easy to do with a friend.

Getting it back is tricky. What you must do to make it easy is to push it in with the exhaust side first and then turn it to put it in place. Dont tray to put it in in its final orientation.

Taking out is similar, pull the back out and the exhaust side comes out last.

[herennow]

10 year ago......

[johnny ro]

This picture speaks a thousand words and Buddha's twist words are worth another 500

[The Buddha]

I'm almost tempted to say the engine lift isn't the easiest or fastest to get it out. The easiest may be to do it horizontal. Especially with 1 person. Fastest may be the method werase643 (Ken) showed me, by basic hand power. Lift and tilt the bottom out and lower it to the ground.
Getting it back in - yea the engine lift may be the easiest and fastest and cleanest.
In any case, all post 89 have that center lap joint by the exhaust ports right on the left frame rail. 89 has it ~2-3 inches - almost right between the 2 frame down rails. That represents about 30% more cussing.

Cool.
Buddha.

[johnny ro]

10 year ago......

Can herennow please mention the name of that lift? I would buy today if knew what it is and who sells it.

[johnny ro]

My floor jack is a single lift point version, which is more common.

I am thinking of making a box stand, with opening on side for lift to slide in, slide it under engine, lift that, and then slide out and lower to the concrete. 

Prefer to buy a better lift.

xxxxxx
OK two minutes on google and I see "motorcycle lift jack" for in the mid-100$'s delivered. Next thought, where to stow it when not in use.

I am slow to get this project done, have a new mikuni pumper to put on the Sherpa which is otherwise ready to ride in April.

[Bluesmudge]

Looks like a Harbor Freight motorcycle lift. Cheap and effective (I have one).
When you aren't using it, you can store it under the Sherpa since that bike doesn't have an under-frame exhaust. It can be good for the tires and suspension to be stored on a lift anyways. The push handle comes off to store separately so it doesn't take up much space.  The lift is also useful for lifting the bike for tire changes and suspension work or just to raise the bike up so you don't have to bend over. Sometimes I wish the GS500 didn't have the under frame exhaust because I like working on bikes on a lift.

[herennow]

Sorry, I borrowed the jack from a friend so not sure what/where it was from. But as you found they are quite standard. I remember it being helpful, but in the end two blokes would probably be easier.

[johnny ro]

Today I bought a Chinese (built well to the crazy low price) bike lift on Amazon. Not hydraulic, will work with the t-handle or a Ryoby drill. $125 shipped.

A non-wheeled floor scissor lift with a rectangular flat top covered in tough plastic, and a wheeled pan to sit inside. Rotating shaft to raise. 4 castor wheels on the pan. 

VIVOHOME 1100 Lbs Steel Wide Deck Motorcycle Lift ATV Scissor Lift Jack

The Q/A on Amazon included many retail questions (will it lift my Big Bob Fat Boy). One smart person asked about the fastener which holds on the castor wheel and received an accurate reply, in mm for diameter length and thread pitch.

Arrive Monday. This GS500e save is a slow process.

Tomorrow will be high in the 50s and will ride one of the functional bikes through Boston's Blue Hills reservation.

[johnny ro]

Today I bought one valve, 4 valve stem seals, head and base gaskets and a valve spring compressor, for $106 shipped on flabby. The same parts tally looked like $250 a few weeks ago, was pleasantly surprised today. Glad I waited.

I would like to avoid breaking the old base gasket free but for $7 I bought the new one. Something tells me I will need it.

A slow moving project but the time approaches.

I see the flabbay seller in Israel still has white with blue stripe right side panels, new old stock, it was not his last one I nabbed a year or two ago. Says Slingshot on I under the stripet. He does not have the same left side panel or I would buy that too. 

[johnny ro]

was asked to post pics of the bike

[ErikRGV]

thank you !

White GS500e are very rare.

Only produced in 1989.

[The Buddha]

thank you !

White GS500e are very rare.

Only produced in 1989.

Yea I know there's a few die hard fans of the 89 white, and the 89 black one also though black was made several other years - that pin stripe pattern is unique to 89. I have an 89 black on mine with a plain black tank cos I had my white 89 tank rot out.
Cool.
Buddha.