Putting the gear box in the frame

Hi Paul

Reading the manual it is possible, having said that i could not get my 850 gearbox out without moving the engine.

I seem to remember that you need to remove the rear engine mounting bolts / studs (possibly leaving the top one in) then the engine can be moved forward so that the gearbox can be rotated so it comes out from the right hand side.

You also have to remove the primary chain adjuster so that the top of the gearbox can slide past it.

I put my engine with the gearbox cradle pulled back attached engine to front isos then lowered the engine backwards and the gearbox cradle forwards. The engine was loosely bolted in. Then the gearbox was fitted, it has to be twisted to get it in so I woulkd practice with just the gearbox case and covers and no internals. I use another NOC member who new what he was doing ( I have a doggy back) The engine I lifted in with a car engine crane with an extended arm hanging the engine at the back with a gimble., attacted it to the front iso mount then lifted it with the crane so that it tipped forward until the front was near the frame and then put a luggage strap around it. having removed the crane I was then able to lower the engine back whie lowering the swinging arm (shocks detached) and gearbox cradle forward.

Mine is an 850 MK3, hope this is of help.

On my '72 750 commando I removed the bottom 2 rear engine bolts and slackened the top one , unbolted the head steady.

Removed the primary chain adjuster .

I think there may be a breather on the back of the engine which is not present on my early engine .

Then my mate raised the front forks until there was enough room for me to wriggle the gear box in , as I recall it needs to be rotated anticlockwise to enter the cradle .

Don't know if this will work on your later bike but it worked for us .

Good luck!