I have seen a thread on here where both gaskets were changed whilst the engine was still in the bike.
For the rear cylinder the engine dropped at the rear for access, to clear the rear frame cross beam.

With my set up (just an ABBA stand) it might be easier for me to drop the front of the engine instead, that way the swing arm can stay in and engine pivot downwards on the swing arm bolt.
If I do this will I be able to pull the head & cylinder up and out through the frame?

The answer is yes you can pull the cylinder up through the frame but no the swing arm pivot bolt needs to be removed as there is a frame cross member under it and so that is the bolt that remains in.