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Thread: One week into ownership, I find a crack in the frame - left side engine mounting tab

  1. #1
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    One week into ownership, I find a crack in the frame - left side engine mounting tab

    How screwed am I?
    Part it out?
    Keep riding it?


    This tab: (top of picture)

  2. #2
    Senior Member Silverrider's Avatar
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    Keep a close eye on it, take it apart and have it welded. How many miles ? how much did you pay ? Show us a pic of the full bike. Just by looking the the 2 pics the bike looks a little rough ,no offense intended.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Chicknstripn's Avatar
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    Check, with an inspection mirror, if the crack goes through to the other side.
    Then, where the crack ends, stop drill it with a drill bit about twice the diameter of the crack itself. That should stop it from cracking any further.
    Do a quick google search and you’ll find plenty of information on stop drilling.

    Since the Buells carry fuel in the frame, we’ll have to insure the frame is totally clear of any and all fuel vapors and residues prior to any weld shop wanting to touching it.

    Call around and see what local shops have to say.

    Also check flea bay for used frame prices and decide which is the better option.

    OR..... If it were my bike, I’d stop drill the crack and monitor it. I’d also stop doing any kind of wheelies or stoppies that might aggravate the condition any further.

  4. #4
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    Thanks guys. I have a dental mirror around here somewhere.
    No offense taken. Yeah, it's pretty dirt. Guy apparently lived down a dirt road. I've spent hours cleaning it but there's still dust everywhere.
    Odometer says 5K miles but the more I look the more suspicisious I get of that. The brake pads seem pretty worn for 5K miles.
    I traded a $5K enduro/supermoto for it.
    Here's a pic:


    There's a great guy near me who fixed my failed Aprilia subframe.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Silverrider's Avatar
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    Full pic , that a nice bike, have it welded , only 5K miles it a fixer and a keeper.

  6. #6
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    Thanks again guys. I forgot I own a cheap little endoscope.
    This is looking toward the front of the bike, scope pointed at back of tab:
    Here's the rear crack:

    And the front crack

  7. #7
    Senior Member Silverrider's Avatar
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    Park it now ! not safe. Tear it down have it welded.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Silverrider View Post
    Park it now ! not safe. Tear it down have it welded.
    My instincts as well.
    Well I guess that'll make cleaning it easier...
    :facepalm

  9. #9
    Senior Member Chicknstripn's Avatar
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    The endoscope pics make it look A LOT worse than your original pics.
    Definitely park it.

    Save it.
    You won’t regret it.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Cooter's Avatar
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    FYI the Buell fuel/frame is double walled, so welding a small crack on an external tab like that won't blow it up. Just sayin'.

    IMO clean, heli-arc, re-paint. Yes, there are better ways too.



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