I bought a yamaha xs 500 engine recently and am in the process of taking it to bits as it was in a bit of a state when I got it.

I am slowly working my way through it and am hoping to end up with a cool looking bike at the end of it.

I have had a few problems along the way as I have never done anything like this before. I have worked my way through them but have hit a bit of a brick wall at the mo.

I am trying to split the crankcase and it seems to be stuck fast. I have removed all the nuts and bolts as far as I can see. I have a haynes manual as but it is for the A series and my engine is a B.

Dose anyone know of anything that I should be aware of or have any tips for splitting the crankcase.

I found this great diagram for you heres the link

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/1975/XS500B/CRANKCASE/parts.html

I found this great diagram for you heres the link

http://www.boats.net...CASE/parts.html

Cheers buddy.

From what I can figure out I think its a case of the cement that has been used being a little too effective this time around.

I hope someone can come up with some advise to separate them.

if there is a spot where you can wiggle something thing in between try useing a cheap putty knife and walk it around I wouldn't use one with more then a 2 inch wide blade

if there is a spot where you can wiggle something thing in between try useing a cheap putty knife and walk it around I wouldn't use one with more then a 2 inch wide blade

That's an idea.. am trying it as I type.

let me know if it worked.

Laquer thinner dissolves Yamabond, so see if you can wick some between those case halves.

Laquer thinner dissolves Yamabond, so see if you can wick some between those case halves.

Been trying the putty knife thing for hours now and am still struggling. I think if I haven't already caused some damage if I carry on I am sure I will.

I just spoke to some guy who's number I got of some forum and he said he is 99% sure it dowel pins that have rotted. He reckons the thing to do is to heat the crankcase up as hot as I can then give it a hit and this should do the trick.

I'll keep you posted.

I use a rubber mallet.

just make absolutly sure all the screws are out