Is this something I should try at home or take the bottom end to a shop?
If you are confident in your wrenching skills, you owe it to yourself to give it a try.
Make sure you have a proper service manual (one from the manufacturer is the best),
case splitting tool, flywheel puller and a gasket set.
I've done several post on various forums detailing the process with lot's of pictures.
Here is a link to one that shows the process on a Honda CR500 engine:
http://www.allthingsmoto.com/forums/f-235/cr500-engine-build-pictorial-part-1-a-50432/You can get a very good deal on the case splitter and flywheel puller from Rocky Mountain
Cycle under their Tusk brand. These are good quality tools that won't cost a small fortune
like some of the "name" brands out there.
Once you've done it, you'll see it's not hard. Also, that new ability will give you a better
understanding of how your engine works as well as save you money down the road.
dogger