Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

Getting ready to put the other bike together, was wondering if there is a trick to putting the swingarm on the frame first and then the engine.
Seems the bottom engine mount bolt at the swingarm didn't come all the way out til I pulled the swingarm, but I never tried to pull the engine with the bottom engine bolt as far out as it would go.
Bottom line... engine first then swingarm? Its a bear to get all that to line up(swingarm bolt, motor mount and bearings) with the engine in and was wanting to have the ability to change engines without pulling the swing arm.
thanks garry

_________________
Garry Mainer
#33m (retired)
Honda Cr250r 1980
Honda Cr250r 1980
Yamaha TY250C 1976
Arctic Cat 650 H1 2007

I have always put the engine in first and then the swing arm. The bottom rear motor mount bolt is tricky and you can only get the bolt in and out when the engine is pulled forward. As you push the engine back into position the mount pivots forward and lines up with the top bolt hole in the engine. Then you can put the swing arm in. These frames can get a little tweaked so put all the motor mount bolts in place before snugging stuff down. I would be a little tricky but if the shocks are still attached to the swing arm in might stay in place as you pulled out the engine. Note: It's a year since I did this and it was on a '79 but I believe the rear mount/swing arm area is near identical...

_________________
Michael Stiles
1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore | 2006 Husqvarna SM510R | 2007 Service Honda CR500R-AF