I take your point Hillsy about over thinking things. But I do like to learn about these things as much as I can and to understand what happens when changing various parameters.
After making so many changes to the hardware that influences geometry, the only way for me to know if I am "pretty close" to original geometry is to measure where I'm at. There are plenty of adjustments available to alter geometry if required, not the least of which is what length rear shocks I need to get. The original ones I have at the moment are the original sealed, non-rebuildable units which are now 42 years old and don't really seem to have any damping properties at all!! If I'm going to buy new shocks, the geometry of the bike as it currently sits will determine what length I need to get.
Anyway, the geometry is an issue for another day. No work today meant today was a day spent in the garage with the music up loud and the phone switched off. And this evening is the time for a massive update as progress on a monumental scale base been made.
First off, got the engine in the frame. A little hint for anybody trying to do this without scratching the freshly painted frame or cases. It is a job that is one million percent easier with the starter motor and exhaust studs removed and the engine lying on it's side. Then just lower the frame on top, slight rotation, slide your engine bolts in and your done.
Front end on next. Plenty of grease on the new tapered roller bearings and torqued to spec
Next job was the swing arm. But first I had to install the new brass swing arm bushes. Put the new bushes in the freezer next to the frozen peas to shrink them (the bushes, not the peas)
While the new bushes are freezing, knock the old ones out
If you're a clumsy git, you will damage the interior of the swing arm when knocking the old bushes out
This will make pressing the new ones in very difficult, so sand down the damage
Knock the new (and now frozen) bushes in nice and easy. Take them out of the freezer one at a time and knock them in otherwise the last couple will have warmed up too much to easily go in. Voila!
Swingarm on next, don't forget the dust covers, grease nipples and LOTS of grease. Crank it up tight (How tight? FT!)
Top engine bracket and lovely new stainless bolts
New Dyna coils and horn
Loaded Gun foot pegs and wheels on