Frame modification question

[pete]

Hi all,

I'm finally thinking about doing something with the GS again...

Anyway, I'm wondering what the impact is of removing this little bracket from the frame. It sits under the back of the seat just in front of the duck tail.

Sorry about the quality of the photos, I used my phone and it's a bit dodgy.




Oh, it's an '81 GS 450 by the way :-)

[beergood]

I chopped about 8 inches off the back of my frame a while ago, and in the process that piece bent like a stick of gum. I am not exactly sure of the purpose of that part. I am guessing that certain models use it to mount things to the frame. What I can tell you is that piece doesn't do anything for the structural integrity of the bike. I was able to effortlessly twist and reshape it

[beergood]

Just to further prove a point (and play with the video feature on my camera and my youtube account) here is a short video of me playing with the cropped piece. I did all this without ever gritting my teeth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcINJk8L2Z8

[brveagle]

resized photo's

[oldschoolorange]

I chopped that piece along with a bunch of my frame off of my 400, I am going to weld in another cross member just in case. it is pretty flimsy though so I don't think it will affect much

[pete]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Once again sorry for the photos, I couldn't find my digital camera in a hurry this morning and didn't get time to resize the photos due to having a train to catch to work.

I'm basically planning to cut the middle bit out of the seat pan so I can move the ducktail forward, but I'd like to keep the little plastic container under the ducktail for my wet weather pants and a spare bulb and spark plug, but that bracket gets in the way.

Looks like I can safely remove it.

I figured once the shocks are mounted again and the ducktail and rear mudguard are mounted up it shouldn't make it any weaker.

Just wanted to make sure my ideas were'nt totally out of wack :-)