Head removal.

Trevor9

XS650 Enthusiast
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just been thinking about taking the head off my xs and getting it gas flowed. Until I read that to get the head off you have to remove the engine from the frame. Is this right? Then I read that when you have removed the head you can slot the bolts so next time the head can be removed without taking it out of the frame.
 
On a stock framed bike, the motor has to be out to remove the head.

The mod you describe is slotting the 8 Cylinder studs so that they can be removed from the crankcase in the future for in-frame top-end removal (racing). On a typical street bike (where studs aren't removed regularly) not feasible IMO
 
Yes and yes. From Yamaha's racing book....


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BTW, the engine doesn't need to come all the way out to take the top end apart. I did it a couple times by lifting it up and setting it between the down tubes at an angle.

And no way would I attempt to get those studs out after 45 years!
 
On a stock framed bike, the motor has to be out to remove the head.

The mod you describe is slotting the 8 Cylinder studs so that they can be removed from the crankcase in the future for in-frame top-end removal (racing). On a typical street bike (where studs aren't removed regularly) not feasible IMO
Thanks for the quick reply.
What a crazy design ! I'm surprised some ingenious person hasn't come up with a way to circumvent the need to remove the engine for a head off work.
 
Trevor, you are right and it seems crazy that the head won't come off without removing the engine. There's a quote on the forum somewhere many have tried, none has succeeded?

But having said that, removing the engine is not really a big deal. It's pretty routine stuff pulling off the tank, exhausts, foot pegs etcetera. But the engine is heavy so the options I've seen used are lay the frame on its side, unbolt the engine and lift the frame off. Or unbolt the engine and two people lift it from both sides. Or the method I now use, invest in a chain and pulley, hang this from the garage rafters, remove the bolts and haul away.
 
Taking the engine out isn't that difficult, if you are porting the head you have the carbs off anyway, so it only a few bolt and electrical connections, once done you probably won't need to have it out again for years,
I take my engine out every year to check things as a matter of course, just to check everything is OK, I wouldn't even think about slotting the studs so they can be removed, the more they are wound in and out the easier it would be to strip the threads in the casing,
Would have thought if you were going to have it ported you would go for larger pistons as well.
 
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