Center stand mounts broken

[vincer]

I was looking at the bike today to try and "fix" the center stand. Previously when I tried to put the bike on the center stand the bike leaned to the right. It got progressivly worse. So the quick fix was not to use it. I just assumed the stand was bent. However this is not the case. Where the mounts for the stand are welded to the frame, the frams is tore and the mount is out of place.
My question is, can I hammer the mount back into place and reweld it or do I have bigger issues than what I am anticipating. How much structure am I giving up riding it as it is? Obviously I want to repair ASAP.
Thanks,
Vince

[John]

Don't ride it!

The frame strength is severely compromised. Your best bet would be to locate an old frame and cut out the section that has the mount in it, and have that welded to your frame. You may want to raise/hang the front of the bike from the rafters/tree branch, standeing it up, to be able to access that area.

[tinman905]

Tig welding it would be best if you don't want to send sparks to the rest of the bike or ignite oil deposits.

I had the same thing happen to my bike but I tore it down to restore it so I only had to flip the frame upside down to fix it.Just make sure you clean the weld area real good before you weld it .

I also put a bead all the way around the hanger just incase the frame was going to crack where the bracket was still attached to the frame. I ground the welds down and you can't tell there was any problem there at all .

[fredintoon]

Is this a common failure?

Hi guys,
Ive never heard of centrestand brackets failing before I read these posts and I got a sidecar attachment subframe that's partially bolted to mine. It looked pretty sturdy when I installed the subframe and the sidecar alignment hasn't changed so I doubt the thing has moved. Yet. How much should I worry?

[tinman905]

It's not uncomman for the frame to crack where the center stand bracket is welded to the frame .
I was surprised to find that I had a cracked frame when I get it back from a safety .

[trbig]

What causes it is getting the bike up on the stand, and letting it CLUNK into position with all the weight of the bike dropping onto it. It's a good idea to be as easy as possible with it while doing this.



Tod

[AlanB]

Hi Guys,

Most of the frames which I have seen crack in the bottom cradle have been badly affected by corrosion INSIDE the rail, where water has got inside, and not managed to get out. (Older KZ kwaks were particularly prone to problems.....)

Because the frame is made of seamed tube, the worst rust tends to be in a straight line along the original seam...... Usually the left rail is worse than the right 'cos the bike spends time on the side-stand. The corrosion often shows itself near the centre-stand mounts since that is one of the few places where a load is concentrated, and the thin, weakened tube gives way there.

In other words, make absolutely SURE that the rail is sound BEFORE you start welding up the crack.......

AlanB

[skids]

How does the water get in there??? Maybe it would pay to put bolts or plugs into the front crossmember where faring brackets would otherwise be mounted to.

Originally posted by AlanB
Most of the frames which I have seen crack in the bottom cradle have been badly affected by corrosion INSIDE the rail, where water has got inside, and not managed to get out. (Older KZ kwaks were particularly prone to problems.....)

[fredintoon]

Hi Skids,
it's been my experience that it's very difficult to keep water out of things even (or especially) if you can't see how it could get in. How about drilling small holes in the bottom of the lowest frame tubes to let it out?

[Tdog]

small holes

Hi fredintoon,

Yes... and then one could periodically fog in some rust preventative.
tdog

[Rasputin]

Glad to see posts like this, as I never once thought of checking there for frame cracks. You wanna bet I will be checking mine. I have learned so many things from this site already and with the knowledge of all its members, I know i will learn plenty more. Thanks

[Bigfoot]

Vince,
Where does that put you rally-wise and is there anything I can do to help?

[vincer]

I will be welding it back together next week. I will be out of town all weekend. I will have it fixed by rally time. Thanks for all of the replies.
There does not seem to be any corrision arond the section that needs welded. I figure a dremel tool will be the best to clean around the bracket and prep it for the weld.

[XSPastor]

Good used frame for sale on ebay...

There's what appears to be a good used frame for sale on ebay for 200 bucks right now. Just search "Yamaha XS1100 frame with papers." I don't know what year/model it is but you should be able to tell that from the vin number that they provide...

[Peter]

I'm a Fitter Welder by trade and the water gets in via condensation. I drilled little 3/16" drain holes in both frame rails near the oil pan and a small amount of rust and debris came out.

Cheers
Peter.