FRAME HAS A CRACK...advice wanted

[KaptinAmerika]

I'm stunned Daytec said that.
Because that area is a weld onto the frame tube and it has now cracked leads me to believe that the frame tube, not just the weld, could also be failing due to flex.
If it was in a less critical area I might agree with them but thats a major structural area.

Of course as it is right now if the frame failed they would have no responsibility, it would fall back on BD who is of course Bankrupt and out of business. If they assumed responsibility and agreed with a larger repair or actually repaired it for you then they would bare the burden of responsibility.

Just my 2 cents though

 

[francoblay1]

Touching your wood is way more than I needed to know

Im just saying.... here on the "other side" .... it is worse for us, that´s why I had to pull my finger and learn the drills quickly, so I can do it myself! :2thumbs:

Imagine me taking a Big Dog into an HD shop in Spain??? God Help Me!!!!

Hurrra!!!! x10000... to this Forum!

 

[Five Five]

I did contact Daytec and sent them the pictures.
He told me simple tig repair and touch it up with some paint. Definitely said not a tear down of the bike needed.

If your going to go this route with the repair i would recommend you fabricate a gusset for the corner..... frame to tube

 

[Knuckles]

If your going to go this route with the repair i would recommend you fabricate a gusset for the corner..... frame to tube

Not sure what the H I'm going to do. I've contacted a few welders and sent them two of the pictures. Waiting to see what they respond. This crack was not there last winter because I put some bed liner on the bottom of the frame. Think I would have noticed it then...so thinking it has happened since early spring. Not sure how long until it would break completely. Maybe the next pothole?!

 

[KaptinAmerika]

In that area of the frame you don't want to find out how long it will last.
I'm sure they will be happy to tell you though when you come out of the coma.

 

[liferider]

In that area of the frame you don't want to find out how long it will last.
I'm sure they will be happy to tell you though when you come out of the coma.

Honestly, if it was mine I would use a very small very thin air grinder. V the break and Tig wild it up. Next grind the weld flush. Then split a high tensel strength seamless tubing that will fit snug around the repaired area. have it go 1''-2'' beyond the break. I would use A-106B seamless tubing. It has a tensel strength of 70,000 pounds.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Not sure what the H I'm going to do. I've contacted a few welders and sent them two of the pictures. Waiting to see what they respond. This crack was not there last winter because I put some bed liner on the bottom of the frame. Think I would have noticed it then...so thinking it has happened since early spring. Not sure how long until it would break completely. Maybe the next pothole?!

Next pothole it would break....Thats a scary thought man........Keep us posted man....Lot of good advice given.......let us know how it turns out:up:

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Breaks, digs into the pavement.................

Look Ma....eyes be flyin

 

[liferider]

Breaks, digs into the pavement.................

Look Ma....eyes be flyin

Well, to 100% prevent that.. Go buy a new frame. It's only money!

 

[Knuckles]

So far 2 out of the 3 welders I contacted said no thanks.
One of them referred me to a motorcycle shop (crotch rocket dealer). They can't do anything but referred me to their welder.
The saga continues........

 

[pknowles]

Honestly, if it was mine I would use a very small very thin air grinder. V the break and Tig wild it up. Next grind the weld flush. Then split a high tensel strength seamless tubing that will fit snug around the repaired area. have it go 1''-2'' beyond the break. I would use A-106B seamless tubing. It has a tensel strength of 70,000 pounds.

It looks like the round tube ties into two plates, on vertical and one horizontal, you would have to shape the bigger tube to slide pass this. I would tie it into those two plates if I were making the repair.

 

[Knuckles]

OK. Spoke with a guy says no problem. He can come fix in my garage for $125 to $150. His opinion, after seeing the pictures, splitting the tube and slugging it is not necessary. He would simply blanket everything, grind into the weld a bit and tig weld it up. He fixes many frames on bikes so I seem to believe him.
Not discounting any advice given here but..... I'm on the fence.
Waiting for another guy to call me back. He builds customs bikes and frames, so I'll get his feedback.

 

[KaptinAmerika]

At least your headed in the right direction
My fix is with the intent of maintaining the look of the frame but still getting the strength and rigidity needed.
My personal feeling is slathering steel on top of a frame like ours will look like crap but thats just me.
Good Luck

 

[Knuckles]

I am now OFF the fence. Kaptin, going with your suggestion.
Spoke with another shop that builds bikes, chops frames, does repairs, etc. He talked about cuts, drilling, fabricating parts, and all. Said that is a crappy area on softail frames. When he gets fine should be stronger than new. Of course he is only going off the pictures I sent and wants to see it in person, but thinks it can be repaired for about $200.
I feel a bit of relief notes knowing someone who works on frames all the time is going to fix it!!!!

 

[capewaterman]

regarding that tranny rebuild....... what's it costing and how do I reach this Andrew guy? Thanx.... I've got to get mine done

 

[claw]

regarding that tranny rebuild....... what's it costing and how do I reach this Andrew guy? Thanx.... I've got to get mine done

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/transmission-drive/45390-transmission-rebuilding-service-all-types-385-a.html

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Sweet
Keep us informed

I am now OFF the fence. Kaptin, going with your suggestion.
Spoke with another shop that builds bikes, chops frames, does repairs, etc. He talked about cuts, drilling, fabricating parts, and all. Said that is a crappy area on softail frames. When he gets fine should be stronger than new. Of course he is only going off the pictures I sent and wants to see it in person, but thinks it can be repaired for about $200.
I feel a bit of relief notes knowing someone who works on frames all the time is going to fix it!!!!

 

[Diesel Dan]

If he"s gonna do all that work for only 200$.....go for it.........Thats a lot of work to cut the frame in 4 different places, press slugs into all 4 corners,weld it all up, grind it all down,drill holes in it then weld it back up again,grind it back down.......then shoot it with Metal etching primer,then epoxy primer it all,then Seal everything,then paint it........

200$ is a steal bro!!!!!!!!!!!!:2thumbs:

keep us posted

 

[KaptinAmerika]

Knucklehead

If he"s gonna do all that work for only 200$.....go for it.........Thats a lot of work to cut the frame in 4 different places, press slugs into all 4 corners,weld it all up, grind it all down,drill holes in it then weld it back up again,grind it back down.......then shoot it with Metal etching primer,then epoxy primer it all,then Seal everything,then paint it........

200$ is a steal bro!!!!!!!!!!!!:2thumbs:

keep us posted

 

[zenBD]

Excellent... May have dodged a bullet in the end-best of luck with the repair!