Engine to frame or frame to engine?

[davidcumbria]

550k1  frame powder coated and engine rebuilt , everything else in bits what next ? Do I slip the frame over the engine bolt it in and then manipulate frame to put on forks swing arm and wheels OR build up the frame with wheels and then with bike on a table slide the engine in sideways. Can see the attractions of both ways but would be interested to hear peoples experience and recommendations. My previous experience was , with help,sliding an even heavier GT750 engine from a crate side ways into the frame with a jack to support it it initially but the frame was not stripped so no other option.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

On my 400 I slid the engine  without sump & block but pistons fitted - in sideways with the bike on my ramp with suitable blocks of wood between the frame so it sat almost level with the bottom of the frame.

My brother gave me a helping hand feeding the engine in from one side with me on the other side sort of guiding it in, bubble wrap around the frame tubes. I was 73 then my bro 63 forgotten which side it went in from now but others here will tell you.

Once the engine was sat on the blocks inside the frame I just tilted it forwards to get the long rear bolt in the same again for the other bolt. It was much easier than I expected. Fitting the pistons into the block with the crankcase in the frame was not difficult but did a lot of walking around the ramp!

Update:-
Looking at my original project post I think it went in from the right of the bike.

.http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.msg241429.html#msg241429

[Bryanj]

Ah, i usualy build bike and only bottom end of engine so easy to lift in then top end in frame

[Trigger]

If the engine is fully built just lower the frame on the engine 

[mickwinf]

I have done it both ways, the frame over engine is easier due to frame being lighter than an engine but then a bit awkward to get wheels on. also better with two people especially as we get a bit older.

[Spitfire]

As the bike was completely stripped it was easier for me to fit the frame to the engine when I rebuilt my CB750, the grandson helped me.




Cheers

Dennis

[Oddjob]

Ah, i usualy build bike and only bottom end of engine so easy to lift in then top end in frame

Same here, don't fit any peripherals like alternator, clutch, barrels etc, plenty to grip on the engine that way and light enough that you can get it in the frame yourself if needed but much better with 2 people. On the 500/550 it's easy to build the rest of the engine in the frame, which of course isn't true of the 750, another reason why the 500 is the better bike 

[davidcumbria]

I haven’t actually built the engine yet but expect to get bottom end done shortly. If fitting the bottom end to the frame is relatively manageable I think I’ll go that way since putting frame over engine creates significant awkwardness for forks etc whereas basically there is very little awkwardness all round  if putting theengine into frame already on wheels with a helper.

Thanks for all the replies

[Trigger]

If the engine is not fully built. Just build the bike to a rolling chassis and lift the bottom end in