Frame Cracks...Check yours!

[hcritz]

Hey Folks...
In the tear-down of my 1150 I found a small crack in the frame right in front of the frame double for the side stand. Seems that it's not uncommon for this to happen as several people have mentioned it.
In looking at the 1150 frame...I don't think that even if the fame broke there it would be catostrophic as the engine is mounted solidly before and after that area. STILL...it would'nt be a GOOD thing!
Just as a safety issue...a good frame check might be in order for everyone before the start of riding season. A failure at the wrong place could make for a VERY bad day! When you clean your bike up for this season...take a close look at the frame...especially around stand and motor mount brackets...and welds in general. Most of our bikes are getting some age on them and metal fatigue can be a real concern.
Good Riding...
Ed

[Smokinapankake]

Photo please?

Good to consider, thanks for taking the time to bring this to all our attention.

[madjack57754]

Common place to crack. Both my 1150s have been welded in that area

[tone]

A pretty common problem caused by water getting into the frame higher up & sitting in that area when the bike is on the side stand

simply put the frame rots from the inside outwards & just welding up the crack or holes is not always good enough to make an effective repair, replacing that section of frame is sometimes the only long term solution, ive done a couple & its not as difficult as it sounds

[Zooks]

Gussets would be the ideal solution. All race frames (cars and bikes) have to be gusseted. It makes an enormous amount of difference to the strength of the frame.

[tone]

Gussets would be the ideal solution. All race frames (cars and bikes) have to be gusseted. It makes an enormous amount of difference to the strength of the frame.

Bracing (gussets) do help with frame stiffness but you cant weld to iron oxide (rust) so replacment of the affected area is the only real long term solution

cheers tone

[Zooks]

I never said anything about welding to rust. Obviosuly if rust was the reason for the crack then that section will need to be replaced. If it is a fatigue crack then gussets alone will be adequate.

[hcritz]

Mine appears to be fatigue...not really any evidence of rust...don't think this bike ever saw much of the elements.
I'll try and get some pictures this weekend...Hoping to get the paint stripped and prepped for powder coat.

[doctorgonzo]

I never said anything about welding to rust. Obviosuly if rust was the reason for the crack then that section will need to be replaced. If it is a fatigue crack then gussets alone will be adequate.

Like these...



And these....

[Zooks]

Exactly like those.

[doctorgonzo]

Exactly like those.

I'll look in a sec and see if the rest of my frame bracing pics are online and post the rest of them.

I didn't have a pic of the cross pieces behind the engine that required moving the battery box back about 2 inches, but here is more bracing.

[reddirtrider]

I'll look in a sec and see if the rest of my frame bracing pics are online and post the rest of them.

I didn't have a pic of the cross pieces behind the engine that required moving the battery box back about 2 inches, but here is more bracing.

There looks to be someone sabotaging a cylinder head. Dirty deeds!

[doctorgonzo]

There looks to be someone sabotaging a cylinder head. Dirty deeds!

HA!
My girlfriend's brother (who did the welding for me), working on the head off her Honda Accord.

I don't have any pics of that frame post powder coating online yet. Need to upload some.

[hcritz]

Welded up the crack in the frame...and decided to put a scab plate over the repair too...tied it into the original doubler and wrapped it around the inside of the frame.
Took some picts and as soon as I can figure out how to post them here without losing all the resolution...I'll put them up.

[Steve]

... as soon as I can figure out how to post them here without losing all the resolution...I'll put them up.

Just don't get them TOO LARGE!

I have my Photobucket account set up to automatically reduce the size of incoming pictures to 800x600.
That seems to fit the size limits for most sites and it's big enough to see when posted.
Yeah, some monitors are able to show bigger pictures, but 800x600 seems to be good enough.

Here is an example:


.