Frame Fatigue

[jamesallan]

If you're stuck for a frame, I've got a spare.

Cheers camel I will keepp you in mind, appreciate the offer.

James

---

Mate, Agree with Mag, get a second hand frame.

I wouldn't touch a bike with a welded frame - no matter who did the welding or how many engineer certificates it had.

Cheers

Steven

Steven,

Cheers I will certainly take that on board as I am looking around at options to get a new frame.

Thanks James

---

Something else to consider is the crack has seemingly appeared from nowhere. If you were to fix this crack, who's to say another crack wont appear somewhere else?
Definitely keep your eyes peeled for a frame.
All the best.

Thanks Drworm,

Looking like I will have to slow down on the restoration and sort a replacement frame.
Can't believe that I didn't pick up on it earlier.

Chjeers James

---

I don't know of too many busa owners esp Gen 1's who haven't had the fairings off for maintanence etc - coupled with the fact that you said he was "defensive" when you asked him about it? He knows more than he's telling you mate and it may be the reason he sold it.

In the end you are better off getting another frame and doing a full conversion from the ground up so you know that everything is good and you have done it yourself so it's been done right.

You don't want that crack or the weld that "fixed" it to come back and bite you on a ride one day.

My 2 cents.
Cheers Ruffy

Ruffy,

Mate it appears that you may well be right, it was a genuine sale however the facts do tend to not add up. I think now that the only other feasable sataement would be that it happened from the Suzuki dealer cam chain recall back in 2000. The fella was quite a bit older and could well have had all maintenance done at the dealer.
I had the cover and stuff off it a couple of days after I got home and imagine my suprise when I found it. Argghh
Will have to just cruise on my 09 model and look at frame options in the near future while I work on restoring the rest of the beast.

Appreciate your 2cents in, its worth more.

Cheers James

---

If you're stuck for a frame, I've got a spare.

James as has probably been mentioned if you look at the cost of repair added to the loss in dollar resale value on your bike ........... frame swap is probably better in the long run both dollar and peace of mind wise

Yep you've got me I certainly want to eiher hang onto this for life or get the best dollar i can one day.
Shame that the frame number may be lost as it was one of the early roll outs from the 99 line coppers.

thanks for your advice.

James

---

Hi James,

Just to confirm Camel's comments and to add to mine earlier. Im not precious about bikes. My last three have been repairable write-offs (2 Busas and I Ducati) so Im happy to fix and ride but "even" I would not touch a bike that had a repaired frame.

It may cost you a little more initaily to get a secondhand frame (and there are plenty around) but at least you will be able to sell it later. You may even be able to sell your frame to someone who wants an offstreet or drag bike and is willing to repair.

The other thing you should be aware is tht the year of manufactuare of your bike is taken from the frame number so if you have an 03 and buy an 06 frame then your bike will be registered as an 06 (it works in reverse as well).

Cheers

Steve,

Yep good point from a statutory right-off point of view and that always helps to be able to cost recover on the old frame.

As I said to faster faster it is a shame as it was a low number frame off the original Aussie copper product line, from that point it will hurt to lose that as a classic part of the restoration. Would be worth more if that was retained Iam sure.

Thanks for your info and also the info from others, it has helped me out towards doing whats best.