48 Chief engine removal

[gkpjxb]

Hello folks

I've have a 48 Chief that has had a lousy paint job on the frame for years. The sheet metal is 'Indian Red' and the parts that are supposed to be Gloss Black are just that. My summer and winter project has been to have new 'Red' paint applied to the sheet metal and to remove everything painted Black for Powder Coating Gloss Black. I didn't realize how lousy the paint job on the frame was until I started removing attached stuff from the frame for powder coating and cad plating. The frame paint just flakes off where the assemblies are attached or if you just look at it wrong. I can’t paint everything else and not the frame.

I need the pull the engine from the frame, which I’ve not done before and am looking for advice on the correct way to pull the engine from this frame.
I don’t want to damage the perfect cooling fins on the heads or anything else.

The big question I have is “Are either of the heads supposed to be removed before pulling the engine?”

Any input would be appreciated.

gkpjxb- in eastern WA

[pisten-bully]

The big question I have is “Are either of the heads supposed to be removed before pulling the engine?”

Kevin, you can leave the heads on. And...get a helper! Block under the engine so that when you pull the mounts the engine is supported, then tip the top outwards first (on the exhaust side) and once the heads are clear of the lower cross bar then lift the engine/tranny out of there. Going back in is the reverse, but with your newly painted frame you're going to want to wrap something on the nearby frame tubes to protect them in case things don't exactly go your way!

[gkpjxb]

Harry, thanks for the reply. I wasn't sure about the rear head. When I look level across the top of the head, it looks like the head cooling fins 'wrap' around each side if the crossbar. So, when I pull the motor mounts, after supporting the bottom of the engine, I should be able to lower the engine further in the frame just a bit to clear that rear head while tipping it out of the frame ?

[pisten-bully]

Kevin, yes... after you remove the rear mount bolt it will have to slide forward just a bit to clear that rear mount, then you can lower it slightly. Watch the oil line from pump to sump valve.

And.. just look how easy it is to go back in!


Or... halfway through this video the boys have no problem dropping that engine into the frame... looks like they've done this before!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnVHXjJHIoo

[jim d]

You can wrap the frame with ace type elastic bandages to protect it after painted. Use some old inner tube or bicycle tubes under the bandages in critical areas this will protect without bulk. Look for them cheap in the dollar stores.
Jim D.

[exeric]

Thanks Jim, I was trying to remember the Ace bandage trick; which is brilliant by the way.

[marsh1915hd]

Lay the bike on it's side and lift the frame off. Put it back on the same way. Easiest way I have found to do it.

[phillie]

Harry needed a helper I put mine in and out with brute force and ignorance hahahaha Don't powder coat it, always ends up looking like what it is........ plastic.

[cdf6333]

I've been doing it 45 years and I still pull the heads. It's just a lot easier and safer that way. I just put my 46 back in and did it again. I can't think of a reason why not, if ya have the time. The heads have to be re-torqued anyway, so twice instead of once. There's a ton of room if you do it that way. The front right frame rail is the tough one to avoid I think. The carb has to be off, BTW.

[exeric]

Harry needed a helper I put mine in and out with brute force and ignorance hahahaha Don't powder coat it, always ends up looking like what it is........ plastic.

That's what I've always done, and I did it earlier this year. That motor weighs a ton but carefully muscling it in, and out is the only way, and you can see by the picture that Harry posted, that's what Indian did. Also, don't powder coat the frame, paint it like Indian did.

[pisten-bully]

I put mine in and out with brute force

Phil... Phil... Phil! If I was your age I'd probably have muscled it in myself too! But I'm older and wiser now... you'll get there...hopefully with a sound back!

Hey, I think there's an Indian on Ebay right now where the seller says the numbers match but you can't see the frame number because he had it powder coated!

Whoops! Never mind... I thought I'd look at Ebay to see if I knew what I was talking about... but the bike is gone! I swear, I think it was a '46 Chief...very nice... but the seller pointed out in his description that you can't read the frame number anymore due to the powder coating. Phil... another effect of being older can, in some rare cases, be memory degradation.

[gkpjxb]

Wow! Great info. I can't think why I've not posted any earlier questions.
Thanks for all the tips, especially the utube video link I didn't think about the frame numbers not being readable by the powder coating, so that's no longer an option for me. I'll stick with a regular paint job.

[fillibuster]

That's what I've always done, and I did it earlier this year. That motor weighs a ton but carefully muscling it in, and out is the only way, and you can see by the picture that Harry posted, that's what Indian did. Also, don't powder coat the frame, paint it like Indian did.

I built a "dolly" on 4 swivel casters a long time ago, and still use it anytime I work on the chief. I've hoisted the bike from the seat hinge bracket with a 1000# "lug-all" hand winch. I also use that same winch to pull and install the engine, with the heads on, sans top motor bracket. .... Actually, I have only recently (last several exercises) been using the winch. I'm just not proud of that young strong back anymore. If you have a mechanical advantage, use it. Even if it's a cheap block and tackle, but do at least a 4-part line.

[exeric]

gkpjxb, I think you'll be a lot happier in the long run with a painted frame because paint has a different look than powdercoat, and touch-ups are inevitable. I'm sure you've seen the following thread, but it is a very good collection of comments, and advice.

http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/bbo...t&goto=newpost

[pisten-bully]

Hah! Found it! Read what this guy says about the frame number on the bike he had listed on Ebay. (I kind of had to find this listing because I refuse to think I'm "losing it" in the memory department! Had the wrong year, but I was never good with numbers.)