Down tube removal

[IslandFJ]

Howdy all. New to this site (and FJ1100 ownership) and I've trawled old posts looking for the answer to what I'm hoping is a simple question. Can't find it so here goes...

The down tubes on my bike's frame have spent a few years getting lashed with salt, oil and clutch fluid. They're solid but in a sorry state. I would like to have them blasted, corrosion treated and powdercoated. I'd like to do the same to the whole frame and engine but gotta save up for that.

Can the down tubes be removed without removing the engine? And what about the engine stays? Can they come off with it or do you need to leave them on?

A local mechanic here suggested removing one at a time but he's not an FJ expert and I'm loathe to take them off in case I've missed something and, you know, the engine falls out.

Cheers guys. Great community by the way.   

[freezer]

place a jack under the engine and remove one at a time be careful with the long bolt at the front of the engine it may be seizedjavascript:void(0);  do not try and knock it out with a hammer as you will break the left hand engine mounting on the crankcases (seen lots of engines on E Bay with this damage) you will have to cut the bolt and drill out the bushing in the casing itself

[IslandFJ]

Cheers. What do you do if the front bolt's seized?

[Joe Sull]

2 bolts in the back come out.

[ribbert]

Joe, are you going to paint the foot peg rubbers?

[Joe Sull]

No I guess not Noel. I'll have dogs running out to bite my feet.