Frame crack.

OK, so here's the skinny...

I've got my frame all stripped down and looking ready for some powder.

When low and behold, on the underside of the frame at the very back of the main lower frame pipe (just in front of the center stand cross-pipe weld), is a crack that goes half way around the pipe!

I'm pretty sure its some kind of stress fracture from P.O. :dry:
I tried to use a spreader to open the crack slightly, but the frame is TIGHT, and it would'nt open.

So... I just smashed some JB on/in it... Will this be enough?? :huh:

I'm no wheeleing this thing...

Cheers.

I'm not a frame builder but that definitely wouldn't be enough for me. I would bevel the surfaces of the crack and weld it shut. Then possibly gusset it if possible since it seems to be a stress point. JB weld can work good for some things but it doesn't fuse the metal so the crack could keep spreading. I just wouldn't be able to ride that bike comfortably knowing that.

you have the frame stripped down all ready get it welded it's a 1000 cc bike not a honda spree scooter do it right like becker said and you will be able to sleep at night knowing it was the right thing to do.withthe motor out it will be so much easier and then get it powder coated.

never trust a cracked frame, ive seen people topple when a weak frame crumbled underneath them.

Definitely get it welded and possibly braced or have a section welded across the cracked spot to help distribute the load. It may not spread right now, but under load if it starts moving everything else will start flexing and wear out fast.

Thanks for the replies :lol:

The bike was deffinately in an accident before I got it, so I had an old neighbor of mine look at it before I rode last year. He said the welds were fantastic, whoever did it. Theres even chunks of extra bracing everywhere. Guess we just missed that crack with all the old paint... :ohmy: :dry:

So really, you guys dont trust the JB weld that much?
It reportedly has a higher tensile strength than steel...

Not that I care wether or not I use it or get it welded. Like said, its just a bare frame right now, its the best time while I can toss it around with a couple fingers.

never trust a cracked frame, ive seen people topple when a weak frame crumbled underneath them.

How do you check/know if a frame is a "weak one"???

Cheers.

if i found crack in my frame ...i might be tempted...but in the in i would flush it....
crack kills and yours just might

drill a small hole in each end of crack before welding it up.

JB weld will not work. Like stated before it does not bond the metal. You could use duct tape for the same effect as JB Weld on cracked metal.

JB weld might have a higher tensile strength then steel or maybe not I don't know, but it won't adhere to the metal stronger then if you welded it and it was fused with a weld.

I have a crack in the gusset on the frame by the steering neck on my Z1. Its only about an inch long but it worries me. Right now theres a brace tying the 2 front frame rails together

thats a common issue on z1s and early kzs .if frame is straight it can be welded up easily enough and gusseted from back side if your worried about it happening again