Repair Or Replace Frame?

Started digging into my bike today to do some maintenance(plugs, air filter, valve clearance) and found a nasty little surprise waiting for me. The right upper aluminum eyelet where the rear subframe bolts on is broken off. I purchased my bike about six months ago with a salvage title, and now I know why it was condemned.
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v3350/27/41/1315492114/n1315492114_30147991_109515.jpg


Apparently someone tried to weld this before, obviously it didn't hold, looks like they did it on the bike with the subframe bolt in place. Now I'm considering replacing the main frame, but I really don't want to get into title B.S. with the DMV. I have a friend who is pretty good with a tig welder, but I think I would need to remove the frame either way so that he could weld it properly.

Anyone have any experience removing the main frame on a 5th gen? Is it as bad as it looks? I broke my ankle 3 weeks ago, so I have plenty of time to work on this thing, unfortunately it will all have to be done with my ass in a wheelchair!

Well if he's real good, cause your betting your life on it, and gets 100% penetration, why not. TIG it up, grind it smooth and inspect, and if happy, bolt up.

Or, cut/grind it smooth, mill another ear, and weld it up. Basically your sitting on the repair, so be sure. it SHOULD not affect the safety of the bike.

Worth what you paid for it.

Larry
VFRrider

I broke that tab on mine when i low sided off of ga 60. A good welder fixed me up for 20 bucks! Yes, just 20. He wasn't happy with his weld (the hole was a teeny bit larger). It held till i smacked into a car a couple of years later. I know there are a couple of members here that have broken those tabs. All iirc had them welded and continue to ride on them. Post up on your local mc forum, and i'm sure they can turn you to a good aluminum welder.

It's a common and easy fix for a good welder, I had them just build up a solid ball which I ground down and drilled my new mount hole into. :cool:

Crazy Glue it! -or get that putty glue Billy Mays is always pushing on the info-mercials. He says it will hold anything. - or choice #3, Solid ball it like Baileyrock recommended and grind it down to what you really need. I would suggest #3. :blink:

[image: View Post]The mailman, on Apr 23 2009, 12:05 AM, said:

Crazy Glue it! -or get that putty glue Billy Mays is always pushing on the info-mercials. He says it will hold anything. :blink:


Billy would never lie to us! He's my hero!

[image: View Post]ECX585, on Apr 22 2009, 09:13 PM, said:

[image: View Post]The mailman, on Apr 23 2009, 12:05 AM, said:

Crazy Glue it! -or get that putty glue Billy Mays is always pushing on the info-mercials. He says it will hold anything. :blink:


Billy would never lie to us! He's my hero!

I tried Oxy Clean, but it didn't work as well as I thought it would. I'm confident my friend can take care of it for me, should be a walk in the park considering some of the other stuff he's done. Thanks for the replies guys!

Definitely weld it !

I have a 1995 blade ex track bike which had a hole in the side of the frame where the bar end went through it ! i had that hole welded and put some frame guards on it to hide it, been racing it for 4 years no worries.

Good weld fixed no problem, frame change is a HUGE job all in all really wouldnt get involved in that !