Best way to pull a sporty motor alone?

I finally have everything removed that I need to in order to pull my ironhead motor in anticipation to start chopping. I'm planning to separate motor from frame tomorrow. It's definitely loose, but it's a greasy, heavy bastard in an awkward position without a lot of good handholds and the last thing I wanna do is drop it. I'm thinking that the best way to pull it may be to put a couple of the motor mount bolts back in, set the bike on its left side on an old lawnchair cushion that I have, then unbolt and shimmy the thing out. Then I can pull the now engineless bike back up on its wheels. Is this the best way to pull it by myself? I didn't pull the generator as I was worried about garbage finding its way into the crankcase and, since the motor runs great, I wasn't planning to do any engine work other than putting some better cams in, getting the heads done, and chopping the sprocket and cam covers. Do I need to pull the generator? Any tips/tricks for separating motor/frame would be greatly appreciated.

The only way to get them out by your self is to lay the frame on it's side.
Unbolt the motor and jiggle the frame free. Or remove heads and cylinders
them you have clearence to remove motor when it's up right in the frame.
Eather way it's one heavy S.O.B.

Originally Posted by themetalshop

The only way to get them out by your self is to lay the frame on it's side.
Unbolt the motor and jiggle the frame free. Or remove heads and cylinders
them you have clearence to remove motor when it's up right in the frame.
Eather way it's one heavy S.O.B.

seen Arlen Ness use that trick while assembling a bike in one of the BBO yrs back .

I have a stock 94. Service manual said it would only come out the right side, i did it upright with lift all the way down and propped on sides. Standing over the bike and inched it up and out onto a floor jack. I suggest two people. Did it by myself, thought about laying on its side but was cramped for room in the garage at the time. I'll be doing it that way when it goes in it'll be Paughco this time though. Like he said one heavy SOB ! Even if your used to heavy lifting.

Yeah use a shipping blanket on the floor get every thing in the way off pipes ect. Loosen the bolts and leant the right side over onto the blanket. Finish removing the engine bolts. When I had a valve stick on my chop I had the engine on the stand with the head off in no time. It was right around 2hrs and one beer. But I have had this thing together and apart way too many times!

I always use the case of beer and my buddy "Mongo" method. The trick is "beer after the motor is safe" the other way around does not work so well.

being i work by myself on my bike i made a stand for the bike so i don't have to bend over and i can unbolt the motor and pull it out and pu it on my work bench by myself and trust me IT'S HEAVY. it's the 100" s&s sportster motor. i also have a chainfall to put the bike up on the stand

Originally Posted by timhypo

I finally have everything removed that I need to in order to pull my ironhead motor in anticipation to start chopping. I'm planning to separate motor from frame tomorrow. It's definitely loose, but it's a greasy, heavy bastard in an awkward position without a lot of good handholds and the last thing I wanna do is drop it. I'm thinking that the best way to pull it may be to put a couple of the motor mount bolts back in, set the bike on its left side on an old lawnchair cushion that I have, then unbolt and shimmy the thing out. Then I can pull the now engineless bike back up on its wheels. Is this the best way to pull it by myself? I didn't pull the generator as I was worried about garbage finding its way into the crankcase and, since the motor runs great, I wasn't planning to do any engine work other than putting some better cams in, getting the heads done, and chopping the sprocket and cam covers. Do I need to pull the generator? Any tips/tricks for separating motor/frame would be greatly appreciated.

thanks for the post, i was about to ask the same thing. haha

Originally Posted by reverendpk9

I always use the case of beer and my buddy "Mongo" method. The trick is "beer after the motor is safe" the other way around does not work so well.

Thats not funny cause im the "Mongo" i wish i had a dollar for everytime i pulled my boys sporty, shovel, and evo motor. Sucks to be 6'1 260........