79' GS550e Project--Need Help!

[Guest]

I'm working on a project bike and just realized that my frame is off/bent.....In the pic I attached, you can see that the seat is leaning to the left a bit. I'll attach another photo as well to show the bummed left rear shock. The only options I know of are 1) Get it replaced 2) Go and get the frame realigned. Getting the frame fixed will probably be around $700. What do you guys think?

[JayT]

Shock photo

[steveb922]

There's certainly something wrong there. I think you need to remove the seat and measure both sides to see where the problem is, and how bad it is. If it's not obvious, try swapping the rear shocks. See if the problem re-occurs on the right of the bike.

Not sure how titles and such work where you are, but a legal frame has got to be less than $700.

[loud et]

Take the rear tire and shocks off and then measure from the center of the axle to the upper shock stud center.
Do it in a few positions, somewhere around 13", then over extended, like 17-20 inches, then swingarm compressed, like 10 inches or however far the bike will squat. See if the axle to shock mount measurement stays the same on both sides.
. See if the swingarm moves smoothly with no shocks and tire on.
Those are a couple simple measurements you can take help you see how close things are and by getting the tire and shocks out of the way and the seat you'll have a better view to eyeball what's going on.
Definitely get that bad shock off of there.
I'm sure there are a variety of measurements you can come up with along with eyeballing to see where the frame discrepancias.

[smilinbrad]

I suspect most of the problem is in the swing arm. If you can't figure it out get the frame measured to be sure it's square.

[tkent02]

Yeah, it looks like it's mostly the swing arm but the frame might be bent too. As crooked as that one is, it should be easy to figure out what is bent.

Frames are cheap, even a frame with a good title it won't cost much to replace it. I may have a 550 frame left, can't remember. All of the parts can be swapped over in a day, it's no big deal. Check your replacement frame for crash damage, they get bent around the front down tubes and the steering head sometimes, and around the rear hoop if it got rear ended, but it takes a pretty fair crash.

$700 to fix a frame is crazy talk.

[JayT]

Thanks for your advice guys. I was hoping it won't cost me an arm and a leg to get going. I honestly thought I could find a frame pretty easily but it's harder than I thought. TKent02, would you have an extra that I can buy from you?

[smilinbrad]

when I lived in Arizona there was a very reasonable guy, Fast Frames (or something like that) in Mesa AZ that straightened wheels and frames for lots of us.

[Big T]

Don't spend $700 to get the frame straightened

You can get another bike for that much

[tkent02]

TKent02, would you have an extra that I can buy from you?

Sorry I went riding and forgot all about looking for the frame. I think I have one 550E frame and one 550L frame, but I'll have to check tomorrow.

I shipped a frame by Greyhound a couple years ago, it wasn't too expensive.

[JayT]

Ok that's fine! Just let me know! A replacement would help out a lot. I can't seem to find one on eBay or anything.

[tkent02]

OK, I have one 550 frame left back there....

[JayT]

Still thinking....

Hey guys, I've had some time back here with the bike (false hope maybe) and I'm still wondering if this frame can be saved? I found some level ground to put the bike on and I had to find out one more time. The swingarm is definitely not level. But this lean is inevitable?

[JayT]

another photo

[JayT]

and last one