Not looking to "overhaul" the engine just replace the leaking seals everywhere and do a timing belt. Didn't know if it would make my life easier to just pull the engine.
Remove front callipers, front wheel, front fender, both forks, drain coolant and remove radiator... full access to t/belt, pulleys and water pump... (
do not remove clutch cover, just pry the centre plastic lid out underneath, and "modify" the small edge with the Dr.Emel or a carpet-knive...)
Remove tank, swing-arm... full access to alternator... lift carbs, full access to all other coolant lines in possible need of care (watch for the elbows and O-rings of the internal passages on the heads...)
On a side note, the repair manual stated that the oil pan needs to be removed to remove the generator drive assy. Is this correct or can it be removed with the oil pan still in place?
Seek for "Lewi's Pin" in the forum...
The gears driving the alternator are pre-loaded (like the front-wheels on the cams) to eliminate slag and noise; the alternator drive can be twisted in without any extra measures, with some risk of cutting/kinking the O-ring on the base... with the Lewi's Pin inserted, it can be slipped in straight/fully parallel to the bore in the case...
Anything else can be accessed from the outside, remove seat, side covers, false tank, both access covers, the grey infill's (the ones with the "glove compartments") and the grey belly-pan and you can access all and everything on the engine, including shifter linkage, etc...
The ST is fairly easy to work on.
And: I'd get an OEM workshop manual for it, lots of essential info, torque No, etc...