Method to drop engine only a few inches?

[Henway]

I'm polishing the headers and no matter how I twist and turn, the rear header will not come out after it's disconnected from the flange and moves around freely. Counter-clockwise seems best, but I've tried clockwise, too. No combination of rotating and twisting is working and its end is always fouling on the cylinder and frame no matter what I do.
So I'm thinking about dropping the engine a few inches to wrestle the rear header out.
I already have the front sprocket out and the bike is on its center stand now.
Can I get away with removing only a few bolts and slowly drop the engine until I can pull out the header, or are there a LOT of other steps to do? (I have the manual and it assumes I want to pull it out entirely).
On some wood on a floor jack will the engine want to fall over?
If this end up being a complete PITA I can always attempt to polish the rear header in situ. Perhaps that's the best way.....

I take it that new exhaust gaskets are highly recommended? I already ordered K&Ls, but the original seem to not want to come out easily and I thought that since I'm putting them back into the exact same orientation I might get away with just reusing the previously bedded ones. Probably going to put the new ones on, just want to know if the originals really start fighting me.

[6]

The old gaskets are normally fine to re use.

They do come out. It's a little bit of a dick. But it will come out. It's an up and twist think iirc.

[Henway]

I did a risk-reward analysis and ended up polishing the rear header in place. I wasn't able to get to all of it, but those aren't really visible anyway.

[rpcraft]

Lowering the motor is really the same as removing it from the frame procedurally. If you want to clean it you might as well go all out, take it out and scrub away. and blow your bike apart enough to clean up all the hard to reach areas as well. I usually take some of the Zep citrus degreaser, soak it and let it sit in the sunlight, then haul out the pressure washer and blast it clean but if I have the bike apart I usually do the blasting at the car wash at the same time I am using the pressure wand to knock crap loose inside the gas tank. If you do the pressure wash bit and have the sprocket off the motor don't spray directly at the countershaft seal. Use a rag and some WD40 to wipe stuff away in that area and if it is really caked in there pry the chunks away with a scraper or flat blade screwdriver and break it up with a stiff nylon brush. Obviously it is a lot easier if you're stripping the bike down and really it's just the best if you want to start fresh, get to know your bike, and also find and fix all the little things.

If you need help or a how to i have a process I follow that makes it pretty simple for one guy to break down the bike. Essentially its easier to lift the frame off the bike, but you have to take off the swingarm, subframe, and front forks. It sounds like a lot but really isn't too terrible.

[Rick]

Doing a frame swap myself right now... Sounds like I should haul out the power washer too.

[rpcraft]

If yiou go check out home Depot they have a ZEP citrius based degreaser that comes in either a spray can, spray bottle, or gallon of concentrate. It does wonders on degreasing. I used the gallon jug and mixed it it in one of the HDX 21 gallon containers with hot water and submerged the frame, swingarm, and subframe, let it soak until it was cold, and then scrubbed and power washed it as well. Did a fantastic job of breaking down the grease and afterwards since it is enviromentally safe I tipped the container on the driveway and used it to degrease and clean the driveway too.

[6]

If yiou go check out home Depot they have a ZEP citrius based degreaser that comes in either a spray can, spray bottle, or gallon of concentrate. It does wonders on degreasing. I used the gallon jug and mixed it it in one of the HDX 21 gallon containers with hot water and submerged the frame, swingarm, and subframe, let it soak until it was cold, and then scrubbed and power washed it as well. Did a fantastic job of breaking down the grease and afterwards since it is enviromentally safe I tipped the container on the driveway and used it to degrease and clean the driveway too.

Degreaser I use either good old gasoline or dawn dish soap. We have used some of the other commercial degreaser products with varying success/damage to finishes. Like anodised, polished, painted, etc.. you never quite know. But dawn, usually safe.. gas, always cleans.

[rpcraft]

Degreaser I use either good old gasoline or dawn dish soap. We have used some of the other commercial degreaser products with varying success/damage to finishes. Like anodised, polished, painted, etc.. you never quite know. But dawn, usually safe.. gas, always cleans.

I have had some guys recommend liquid laundry detergent as well. I just never seem to remember it while I am on the hunt for degreaser for some reason. I'm pretty sure it won't be harmful similar to dawn.