After unpacking the engine from the shipping crate, I started by degreasing some of the main parts that I could separate. I took off the engine covers by using allen sockets and a 3/8″ socket wrench. The cylinder heads were already separated and in a different box. The clutch was already dismantled. In fact, I don’t think many of the parts that came with my engine as a whole were actually part of the same engine. No matter. They are all from a 650 and I am not doing a “historically accurate” restoration.

I used a citrus degreaser and a plastic scrub brush that I found in a hardware store near the paint stripping section. It has nice short stiff bristles, but won’t scratch the aluminum. I used a whole can of degreaser on just these 4 parts, so I would suggest 3 cans if you plan on doing the whole engine.

Clean the parts away from where you will be working. That run-off never really goes away. It smells nice, but it is real messy and thin melting grease seems to get everywhere. You can see pics of my top-notch restoration clean-room under the porch here at my house:

It would be great if someone could fill in the gap on how to start degreasing and prepping your engine when you remove it from the bike. Mine was already partly-disassembled so I am missing some steps. Please e-mail me if you remember to take some pics before starting! Thanks.