Clymer manual says its possible, experience today says otherwise.  The frame is not wide enough for the exhaust side to slide through.  How the hell does it come out without dropping the engine?!

Thanks,

Nick

might have to take off the right frame piece

You have to remove the small cap on the top of the valve cover. Crankcase vent? Then, it will come out easily. Also, if you haven't removed all the copper crush washers under the nuts, you might find they are crushed a little too much and will require some prying effort to get them free.

The valve cover is completely removed from the head.  And sliding the head up, the front (exhaust side) hits on the underside of the frame yet still doesn't clear the head studs.  Without lowering the engine, I can't see a way to get this out.  I followed step by step in the Clymer manual and it just WILL NOT COME OUT.

Anyone?

The head on my 02 GS came off with the engine still in the frame.  Had to remove the wires clipped to the inside of the right frame member to get it out, head then went up between the frame members almost touching both sides.  A tight fit but it came out.

the head and cylinders on my 96 came off while still on the bike, and the side frame still attached. just gotta work it.

It amazes me that you both have been able to slide the head out.  With the case still in the frame the head is at least 1/4 inch to wide to fit between the frame.  I can't move it back to a wider portion of the frame as the head is still on the engine studs!

I can not imagine the being the only bike that it won't come out of!

It will slide over the cylinder studs but just barely, have to work it slowly and change the angle as you slide it. Done it dozens of times on several bikes. Be patient.

At first I thought I would not be able to get the head out over the studs and under the frame. Slowly gently got it done.



http://beergarage.com/GSHeadOff.aspx

WTH?!  Mine must be sitting in the frame differerent because when I slide the head up the fins on the exhaust side hit the frame and there are still about 1/4 of threads in the head!  If I try to come up at an angle, it has to come at such a drastic angle it binds on the threads.

If I drop all three of the mounting bolts and have a jack under the engine, how much extra room will this give me?  I refuse to take the side covers off because I just replaced those gaskets on Sunday before I tried to get the head off!

im having the same issue.. i guess i'll just keep working at it.

If you figure something out pandy, let me know!  With all three mounting bolts in, there is no way this head will come out.

as far as i could tell, arent there 4 bolts that mount the bike to the frame? two rear , bottom, and front? i've tried dropping the front, bottom, and top rear to lower the engine just a bit, but still didnt get enough clearance. not sure when i'll have a chance to get back to the shop to keep working on it. or if i'll even do it at all. at this point i think i'm going to lift the head, clean in between and drop it right back down and retorque everything down. it's cool that my cousin lets me use his shop/tools. but sometimes i wish i didnt have to deal with the onslaught of comments haha

Pandy, your right not sure why I said three.  I ended up having to pull all 4 bolts and drop the piece out of the frame and wiggle the engine just right in order for the head to slide up and out.  True pain in the ass.

The GS motor while its easy to get to the things for maintenance is just about the most poorly fitted in the engine bay.
Getting it out, the whole motor aint no picnic either, head, cyls etc etc, nightmare. I'd really yank the motor ... but you're the judge for what is more work.
Cool.
Buddha.

Well I was able to wiggle it out with the engine unbolted (not even supported by a jack, it literally was just hanging in the frame) and the side part of the frame removed.  Engine is 90% back together and bolted back in the frame now.

See I saved you from buying carb slides.
BTW so what made you yank the head ?
Cool.
Buddha.

There was a small oil leak between the case and the cylinders so I figure what better time than now to pull everything and replace the gaskets?  I replaced the base gasket, both side gaskets and the oil pan gasket.  Should have done that when I rebuilt it last year but didn't for some reason.

Every bike is different.  Especially, frames of cheap bikes.  I had to remove all engine mounting bolts to get the head off of mine.