1981 Kz550A frame

I bought a salvage title 1981 KZ550A (because it was abandoned not wrecked) or so I thought. Just fixed some leaks and a bent clutch pushrod. Rejetted for uni filters and everything. Went to put new headlight mounts and I couldn’t get the headlight aligned. I figured a fork adjustment would solve it. Nope.. took off the tank and seen this.  Picture link  in case you can’t see it below. I guess someone swapped all the damaged parts at one point because the forks are straight. I never would’ve imagined the frame got bent this bad and I would completely miss it.

So now I’m in the market for a compatible frame. Ltd frames are plentiful, but I want less rake. I’ve built this bike to be cafe inspired with clip on bars and some custom billet rear sets. How bad is a 650 frame going to work. There is also a gpz frame for sale, but it’s a 85. 

 

Have you investigated having it straightened professionally? It is possible with a steel frame

I have a guy not to far from me who is willing to give it a go. $100 an hour is his rate. He says it could be anywhere from 30 minutes to 10 hours he just isn't sure. Waiting to hear back from a few other shops.

I figured if it costs $$$ to straighten it and I have to strip the frame anyways it's worth trying to get a clean title frame that will be stronger too.

I am no expert but I believe you need some kind of frame jig to reference all the tube angles to try to fix something like that. I think "dude" may just heat it up and bend it in the opposite direction hoping for the best.

To my eyes its scrap, no way could you ever ride that thing to anything over parking lot speed. Your actually lucky you did not "taker for a rip", you would have found out by the end of the driveway most likely. Front and back wheels would not be "aligned", I think they use to call this "crab walking" in the car world.

I would say your in the market for a 550 frame, I don't think the year will matter. The 550's after '82 were Unitrac single shock, engines I think are the same, just more HP... never owned one so not 100 on it.

Yeah dog walking/tracking is what I always knew it by. I actually did take it around the block and got it up to 50 and somehow it didn’t pull weird. The first time it blew oil everywhere from the clutch pushrod being bent which should’ve been the first sign of trouble. The second time it ran great. Don’t get me wrong I would love to find a new standard or gpz frame it’s just proving a little difficult. If I can’t source a frame I will have this one bent back cold. 

I believe the ltd has 3 degrees of rake over the A. As well as the subframe having the dip for the seat and being angled up more. Realistically I could fix this with some tube steel and a weekend, but I would really like to avoid the C frame.

Well I think you got off pretty lucky that it did not "head shake", even at 50 that's hella scary. Maybe its not as critical as I was lead to believe, just looks way too weird.

Wonder what it would do into a 40 MPH corner? I use to ride hard when I was younger, had the whole road racer package installed... those were the days, powerful engine and hardly any brakes I think I haven't changed that much, still have big engine, and no brakes, but don't hit it as hard

ToyotaGuy wrote:

I have a guy not to far from me who is willing to give it a go. $100 an hour is his rate. He says it could be anywhere from 30 minutes to 10 hours he just isn't sure. Waiting to hear back from a few other shops.

I figured if it costs $$$ to straighten it and I have to strip the frame anyways it's worth trying to get a clean title frame that will be stronger too.

The key word here is "Professionally". "jigging" car and motorcycle chassis work is a daily occurrence in the accident repair industry. I have posted a link below of a UK firm that do this work as an example, you would need to find a similar set-up in your part of the world.
PS: any frame straightening should be done with the engine and swingarm installed (if not they probably won't fit afterwards !!) Another frame is the better option if you can find one.
motorcycle frame straightening
 

Racer guys get their frames checked/straightened with some regularity, after they crash.  If there is a racing presence in your area, good chance there are motorcycle specific shops that do straightening also.

I appreciate the advice about leaving the engine and swingarm in. That makes perfect sense and I think I’m going to avoid that shop if I can. 

I live near Pittsburgh so maybe I’ll find some local go fast guys on social media and see if they know anyone who straightens frames. For the time being I’ve accepted the kz needs to be pushed to the corner. Onto the next bike for now.

Poking around the net, I found this place about 2 hours east of Pittsburgh.  Maybe an option:
mphohio.com/motorcycle-frame-repair/

These folks are 8 hours away, but I found FrameCrafters when dreaming of having a custom frame made.  They say they do repair as well.  Their site seems to be down, but the wayback machine has a copy....

web.archive.org/web/20211203225014/http:...et/services/pmr.php/
 

I had my lady call mph in Ohio a few days ago and the gentleman who answered seemed unsure if it was something they could fix. Told her he would find out and give a her a ring back. I'm unsure if they ever did.
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I'm really hoping a frame will pop up here soon. If anyone has any ideas on where to check for sourcing one I've mostly used eBay Google and Facebook marketplace. 

 

Haven't succeeded in my frame finding journey yet. If anyone has/knows of a frame please reach out. Going to try and get a hold of MPH again tomorrow.