Cracked frame

[sweet78xs]

I got my 11 out today to let it run and in the process, I found a crack in the frame behind the upper shock mount on the right side of the bike.

Is this a common place for these bikes to show stress?

Do you have to have an internet account to post pics here??

Carey

[bikerphil]

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Photobucket works well for this site.

[DiverRay]

I got my 11 out today to let it run and in the process, I found a crack in the frame behind the upper shock mount on the right side of the bike.

Is this a common place for these bikes to show stress?

If you have a rack installed, you DO put a lot of stress on this part of the frame. I have one frame that has a small crack near the mount point for the rack, just have not done the welding yet.

[rover]

cracked frame

Two good ways to fix this. Hard way; dremel away a bit more than half of the frame 2 inches either way from the crack. Then fit a solid steel rod into the frame. Weld all of the area and grind it flush. Solid invisible repair. Easy way; find a piece of tubing with an I D matching the O D of the frame, cut in half lengthwise, fit over the frame, and weld back together. Looks like crap, but will hold it together pretty well. Or, cut off the bad part on both sides, fit solid steel rods inside and weld.

[sweet78xs]

I was planning on using a wire wheel to remove the paint then grind a "V" all the way round, clamp and weld. I do have a trunk on the bike. I am planning on removing the trunk and fab up brackets to mount the hard bags I had given to me.

Here's a pic of the break...



Carey

[rover]

cracked frame

I know this sounds rather difficult, but this would be best repaired by cutting the rest of the crack through, then the other side in the same place. Cut 3/8" off the cut end of the tail section, find or machine 2 solid rods about 2" long and slide 1" into the main frame. Tack weld these rods, then put the tail section on, leaving 3/8" between the pieces, keeping the original dimensions, then weld everything solid, including the space below where the rods go in the frame. Just vee-ing the crack and welding it MAY hold, if the stress that caused the crack is relieved. Remember, the weld and about 1/8 inch either side will be more brittle than the frame originally was. Hope this helps. I repaired a frame just like this in about 1994, and it still is holding with a full travel package, large trunk, hard bags, etc.

[Cobia]

I found a crack too.

Hey Carey,
I also found a crack above the kickstand bracket. It was about 3" long and ran all the way back to where the pipe bends upward. When the welder got here we discovered that the frame was so thin it wouldn't stand up to the arc welder so we ended up welding with acetylene. Here are a few pics.





Had to lay it over so he could do the job right. Thank God for the hoist.