Possible to remove crank with engine in the frame?

[HansJ]

I am thinking of an 878-kit, and also consider balancing pistons, rods , crank and checking the wear. Is it possible to remove the crank with the engine still in place? Looks like it when checking the workshop manual, but just wanted to double-check. The owner of the garage-space I rent does not allow me to do major maintenance, and keeping the engine in the frame will make it easier to hide what's going on...

[Max]

I don't think so (without looking at manuals). I had mine out (well everything out) before the 4 hour. You'd probably be better off dropping the engine out (quick job) and working on it at home, leaving the bike in the garage. Beware, it's a heavy bitch! Not only that, but 80% of the oil you've "used" over the years will spurt out all over the place. (People think their TRX's "use" oil, they just "hide" it...)

[phuk72]

Not only that, but 80% of the oil you've "used" over the years will spurt out all over the place. (People think their TRX's "use" oil, they just "hide" it...)

very true!

I believe it is posible but as Max says, dropping the engine out is easy (and yes the lump is bastard heavy) so that's the route I would go

[stormy]

Technically yes you can, but it would be a very difficult task.

I presume you want to try it because you don't want to disturb the barrels and head?

If you take the motor out as a lump, then turn it upside down, you can get to the crank that way ..... but you still have to remove the clutch, generator (a bitch to remove), balancer shafts, oil pumps, water pump, cam cover and camshafts sprockets (to get the camchain off), starter, which only then leaves the lower crankcase.

I'm actually stripping a TDM engine (same as the TRX one) right now, and it is a straight forward job, but awkward/difficult to do when you're working on an engine still in the frame. Much easier to take it out.


Mike