Well, after getting some help from a good friend, Jeff Parker, we finally got the engine out. There is a support rod through the bottom of the front part of the engine block, each end is threaded and goes through a hole in the frame for support. It was rusted and corroded so bad it wouldn't move. Liquid wrenchy, heat, I even devised a method of pulling it out by use of a spacer against the block and a nut on the rod. My rattle gun wouldn't budge it and neither would my breaker bar. So, I got the engine to move just enough to get a cutting wheel on a die grinder in there and we cut the rod off. That allowed us to finish pulling the engine. What a PITA, but it's out now. I intend to strip it of any useable parts and trash the block. I next pulled the rear wheel, not a bad as the engine but close. Again, rust was the enemy. The splines look good, I haven't checked the dampers but will soon. Following that, I pulled the gas tank. I plan to not address anything forward of the steering stem until everything behind that is freshened, repaired, repainted....whatever it takes. I'm looking for a decent tank with approx. 5+ gals. and has a sending unit in it. Doesn't have to be Honda but the I/S tank would be nice. The OEM tank is not going back in. I wanted to get the heavy stuff out of the frame so that as time and money allows, I can do a little bit at a time. My first goal will be to sit down and list everything that needs attention....be it repair or replacement, then list what is needed in the way of parts. That will help by allowing me to look for stuff without being pressed for time. Seems like if you need a part real soon, you end up paying a higher price. This way I can shop for the bargains....same thing I did for an I/S rack to mount an I/S fairing, but that's another project for another day.
With everything still in place.
Weighs a lot less now!
The subframe on the left side is removeable. I just bolted it in place so I could use the jackstands. Those shocks are 14.25" and are not going back on. With them in place there was 6.5" from the top of the tire to the top of the rear fender. You get nosebleeds just sitting on it. Those front turn signals are also going to be history. I think they were used for signaling spacecraft....and they're ugly.
