Is my frame toast?!?

[Sam 78 GS750]

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?

 

[Sam 78 GS750]

Is this indentation supposed to be there?

 

[Sam 78 GS750]

There's also 2 more dents, 1 along each side.

 

[Sam 78 GS750]

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.

 

[Nessism]

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.

 

[Nessism]

Check the photos of this frame...http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-SUZUKI...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

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

 

[chuck hahn]

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.

 

[dorkburger]

The crack looks like water may have gotten in there and frozen at some point.

 

[hillsy]

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.

 

[Sam 78 GS750]

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.

Check the photos of this frame...http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-SUZUKI...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=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...

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...

 

[Guest]

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.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

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 ...

 

[Brendan W]

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

 

[Sam 78 GS750]

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...

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.

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...

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 :indecisiveness:
I was about to pull the trigger on $1500 runner from CL to use as a parts bike....

 

[dorkburger]

Here's a nice example of water / freeze damage. Square tubing? Not anymore.
[URL=http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/dorkburger/media/20170513_113855_zps5nwc0oix.jpg.html][/URL]

 

[1978GS750E]

I can tell you for sure the "dents" are supposed to be there. Just got finished sandblasting my frame a couple months ago! Do like Chuck Hahn suggested. Fix it! Or.....wait a month or so, until I'm finished with my rebuild and I'll sell you a mostly complete parts bike!!! A lot less than $1500 too!

 

[Guest]

You will have to trouble getting that welded up, sandblast or remove all the paint somehow first, there may be other surprises.

 

[Sam 78 GS750]

Here's a nice example of water / freeze damage. Square tubing? Not anymore.

That looks painful.. any pics of after the surgery?

I can tell you for sure the "dents" are supposed to be there. Just got finished sandblasting my frame a couple months ago! Do like Chuck Hahn suggested. Fix it! Or.....wait a month or so, until I'm finished with my rebuild and I'll sell you a mostly complete parts bike!!! A lot less than $1500 too!

I just dropped it off today to Custom Cycles. Their welder is gonna clean up some of the factory welds while he's got it, and reinforce a few spots too. I may still be interested in that parts bike, or at least a few things off it though. There are still some parts I have to source for my build...

You will have to trouble getting that welded up, sandblast or remove all the paint somehow first, there may be other surprises.

I had my powdercoat guy sandblast it for me. Uncovered a couple of other spots that were hiding under the paint that the welder is going to touch up. I'm glad I had it blasted first. This way I caught the hidden surprises, and can get everything done at once.

The guys at the custom/resto shop that's doing the welding seem pretty cool, and very knowledgeable. They specialize in vintage Brit bikes: BSA, Norton, Triumph, etc. They started as a BSA dealership in the 60's. They do a bit with Japanese bikes as well though. After meeting them and seeing some of their work in person, I feel like my frame's in good hands.

 

[80GS850GBob]

Here's a nice example of water / freeze damage. Square tubing? Not anymore.

"Bring them inside during the winter - it's cold out there"
...{sorry}...I honestly think your problem is far worse - your engine fell out somewhere!

 

[dorkburger]

Ha, I picked this up this morning as an intended frame donor. I noticed the damage pretty quickly.
I almost left empty trailered, but the price dropped, and there are some parts on it I can use - just not the frame.