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is it possible to remove the head while the rest of the engine is still in the bike?? may need to do the head gasket, but not 100% sure yet.

Yes ...but you may as well drop it out at that point....

If you unbolt the front two bolts, the thing does swivel down and forward s(after airbox out, carbs off, etc) but I fnd the front tyre is then in the way, and there's only one more spindle / bolt left to undo at that point, so yeah, drop it out.

The real bitch is getting it back in, need a jack to lift it up to put the first spindle in.

I wouldn't hesitate to drop an engine out to work on it.
Fact is having the engine out give you sooooooooooooo much more space to work in.

Just be sure everything is disconnected before you remove the final engine bolt getting it out can be done on your own but lifting it back in needs two or a means of supporting the engine and lifting it.......... I modified a car jack to do this. I'll sanp a picture of it for you......................can any one guess that I have a new camera....... well new phone with a camera

Im planning on doing my valve clearances and cam chain, bike is at 34000km (21000miles?). Would it be easier (with me being a fairly novice mechanic) to drop the engine out or to attempt with it in? Im not going to be looking to rush the job as the most technical thing I have attempted so far is replacing the brake pads on an RS125, and ive watched a Top End being redone, so im dubious about my ability to do these important tasks with the engine in situ, but would rather not take it out if I dont have to! Also read around if the HG isnt broken leave it alone, but is it coming up to when it starts to go? If I do have to take the engine out would it not be prudent to do the HG while its out?

If your a complete newbie then youll need to be able to see exactly what your doing, so id take it out of the motor.