on my 1200 , I leave the cradle rails in. I drop the front axle (remove the pivot pin) to get to my front engine bolts, then unbolt the 2 rears from the oil pan. disconnect everything else from engine, remove fuel tank and heat shield.
I have done it with front axle in, but there is hardly any room to ratchet a gear wrench , and you would want to punch a baby trying to get those front bolts back in with axle in the way!
