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Is my frame toast?!?

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    Is my frame toast?!?

    I have a pretty bad crack in my frame, and I'm wondering if it can be safely repaired.

    I was giving the frame a once over before sending it off to be powder coated. I noticed a few dents (that maybe are supposed to be there?), and one major crack.
    What do you guys think?

    Here's the crack (frame is upside down) I never noticed, because this was the first time I actually turned the frame over this way. Who knows how long I rode around like this?

    sigpic

    Check out my rebuild thread here: https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...GS-750-Rebuild

    #2
    Is this indentation supposed to be there?

    20170507_202210.jpg
    sigpic

    Check out my rebuild thread here: https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...GS-750-Rebuild

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      #3
      There's also 2 more dents, 1 along each side.
      20170507_202235.jpg
      sigpic

      Check out my rebuild thread here: https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...GS-750-Rebuild

      Comment


        #4
        I figured you could cut out the cracked section and weld in a new piece, but I already had 1 shop turn me down over the phone without even looking at it. I'm questioning if those dents are there for a reason, or if they're damage....

        I saw a couple of frames out there for $800+ which seems excessive to me.... I also found a decent GS750 on CL for $1500. I'd hate to cannibalize a runner for just the frame, but I figured I can take the frame and the other parts I have yet to source, and then part out the rest and recoup most if not all of the $1500. Like I said though, I'd rather not part out a decent running bike.
        sigpic

        Check out my rebuild thread here: https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...GS-750-Rebuild

        Comment


          #5
          Slow down. Someone here will have a similar bike and will be able to chime in regarding whether or not those indentations/dents are normal or not. That crack can be welded.
          Ed

          To measure is to know.

          Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

          Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

          Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

          KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

          Comment


            #6
            Check the photos of this frame...http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-SUZUKI-...p2047675.l2557

            I think everything other than that crack on your frame is normal.
            Ed

            To measure is to know.

            Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

            Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

            Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

            KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

            Comment


              #7
              If it was mine I would get a piece of pipe and cut a rectangular area out of the frame. Cut a patch from the piece of pipe and fit it into the hole made in the frame. Once its all matched up, spot weld a metal rod or a long nail to the patch for holding the patch in place for some well placed tack welds. Weld all the way around the patch and grind it all nice and pretty with the angle grinder. I would also take a hammer and do some moderately heavy taps along the rest of the frame looking for rusted through spots.

              No welding shop will ever touch it due to liability of somethng bad happens when youre riding it.
              MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
              1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

              NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


              I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

              Comment


                #8
                The crack looks like water may have gotten in there and frozen at some point.
                sigpic
                When consulting the magic 8 ball for advice, one must first ask it "will your answers be accurate?"

                Glen
                -85 1150 es - Plus size supermodel.
                -Rusty old scooter.
                Other things I like to photograph.....instagram.com/gs_junkie
                https://www.instagram.com/glen_brenner/
                https://www.flickr.com/photos/152267...7713345317771/

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by dorkburger View Post
                  The crack looks like water may have gotten in there and frozen at some point.
                  Bingo.

                  Whilst the crack could be welded straight up it would be a good idea to cut out a section and inspect for more water damage.
                  Current:
                  Z1300A5 Locomotive (swapped my Intruder for it), GS450 Cafe Project (might never finish it....), XT500 Commuter (I know - it's a Yamaha )

                  Past:
                  VL1500 Intruder (swapped for Z1300), ZX9R Streetfighter (lets face it - too fast....), 1984 GSX750EF, 1984 GSX1100EF (AKA GS1150)
                  And a bunch of other crap Yamahas....

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Nessism View Post
                    Slow down. Someone here will have a similar bike and will be able to chime in regarding whether or not those indentations/dents are normal or not. That crack can be welded.
                    Originally posted by Nessism View Post
                    Check the photos of this frame...http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-SUZUKI-...p2047675.l2557

                    I think everything other than that crack on your frame is normal.
                    That's reassuring. Thanks for that link, the frames for sale that I was able to find didn't have close ups of the areas/dents in question. They were just one of those things that I never noticed that jumped out to me after I found the crack...

                    Originally posted by chuck hahn View Post
                    If it was mine I would get a piece of pipe and cut a rectangular area out of the frame. Cut a patch from the piece of pipe and fit it into the hole made in the frame. Once its all matched up, spot weld a metal rod or a long nail to the patch for holding the patch in place for some well placed tack welds. Weld all the way around the patch and grind it all nice and pretty with the angle grinder. I would also take a hammer and do some moderately heavy taps along the rest of the frame looking for rusted through spots.

                    No welding shop will ever touch it due to liability of somethng bad happens when youre riding it.
                    Only thing is, I don't know how to weld. I would need to take it to someone.

                    Still, this is good news. I really didn't want to go the route of sourcing a frame or tearing down another bike...
                    sigpic

                    Check out my rebuild thread here: https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...GS-750-Rebuild

                    Comment


                      #11
                      I'm sure there are plenty of mobile welder guys out there that would come to you and fix it for you. Write up a release of liability paper for them if they question the job. I had plans for it, but if it comes down to it I have a 750 frame that has no VIN number stamped in it. I got it about 5 years ago and the hive concluded it may have been a replacement frame that was never stamped with the VIN. Just a thought if your in need.
                      GSRick
                      No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.

                      Eric Bang RIP 9/5/2018
                      Have some bikes ready for us when we meet up.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        It's a good time to learn to weld. Basic welding isn't terribly difficult; making the beads look good is. But then, that's why die grinders were invented ...
                        "Thought he, it is a wicked world in all meridians; I'll die a pagan."
                        ~Herman Melville

                        2016 1200 Superlow
                        1982 CB900f

                        Comment


                          #13
                          My 2c. The crack itself isn't the real problem. The frames are weldable all day long.
                          I would be more concerned about where water has gotten to and what corrosion is happening elsewhere on that run of tube.
                          A good repairman would cut out enough to check that out.
                          It's boroscope time
                          97 R1100R
                          Previous
                          80 GS850G, 79 Z400B, 85 R100RT, 80 Z650D, 76 CB200

                          Comment


                            #14
                            I found someone willing to weld it, and after our phone conversation and looking at some reviews I think they'll do a good job. This place here: http://www.classiccyclesltd.com/
                            I had a rough time with a mobile welder who did a really sloppy job on some brackets for me, so I was pretty wary about who to take it to...

                            Originally posted by gsrick View Post
                            I had plans for it, but if it comes down to it I have a 750 frame that has no VIN number stamped in it. I got it about 5 years ago and the hive concluded it may have been a replacement frame that was never stamped with the VIN. Just a thought if your in need.
                            Thanks for the offer, but thankfully it seems I overreacted a bit and I'll be able to save my frame after all.

                            Originally posted by GS1150Pilot View Post
                            It's a good time to learn to weld. Basic welding isn't terribly difficult; making the beads look good is. But then, that's why die grinders were invented ...
                            I'd like to learn how to weld, but not on something as crucial as my frame. Classic Cycle said they'd do it for around $180. That's way less than the investment in money for equipment, and time in learning/practice/time lost on the build...

                            Originally posted by Brendan W View Post
                            My 2c. The crack itself isn't the real problem. The frames are weldable all day long.
                            I would be more concerned about where water has gotten to and what corrosion is happening elsewhere on that run of tube.
                            A good repairman would cut out enough to check that out.
                            It's boroscope time
                            Good call on that...That's exactly what the welder at the Classic Cycle said... one of the reasons why I decided to go with them.

                            Thanks to everyone who talked me off the ledge on this one
                            I was about to pull the trigger on $1500 runner from CL to use as a parts bike....
                            sigpic

                            Check out my rebuild thread here: https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...GS-750-Rebuild

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Here's a nice example of water / freeze damage. Square tubing? Not anymore.
                              sigpic
                              When consulting the magic 8 ball for advice, one must first ask it "will your answers be accurate?"

                              Glen
                              -85 1150 es - Plus size supermodel.
                              -Rusty old scooter.
                              Other things I like to photograph.....instagram.com/gs_junkie
                              https://www.instagram.com/glen_brenner/
                              https://www.flickr.com/photos/152267...7713345317771/

                              Comment

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