Straightening Bent Frames ...possible or imposssible?

[DuciD03]

Has anyone or does anyone have any experience in straightening trellis frames?  I've heard some mixed reviews, purchased a project 1k that I shouldn't have; and am considering options at the moment; its completely dismantled now.

Is is possible to straighten and re-weld a slightly bent frame; out about 1/2 inch where the engine mounts are and cracked on a few welds. 

One comment I heard is the welder needs to know what type of metal tubing is used so they can match up the brazing rod. 

Anyone know the type of metal in the trellis frames; type of brazing rods used; an expert who has experience repairing trellis frames.  Ducati; of course defiantly says no ...

[Speeddog]

AFAIK, they're mild steel that is robotically welded with a MIG gun.

Tough to say whether a frame is repairable from a verbal description.

Where are you located?
Someone may know of a good frame shop near you.

[MotoCreations]

Anything can be fixed -- but the question being is it worth the time/effort?  (the frame isn't that great of quality to begin with)

Best bet is to find a local racecar or motorcycle shop that does repair and talk with them. 

Second option is to find a replacement frame and swap.  If you have a good engine and swingarm -- I've seen a lot of folks lately swapping this (plus electrical / gauges) into older Supersports (which are cheap to purchase). 

[DuciD03]

AFAIK, they're mild steel that is robotically welded with a MIG gun.

Tough to say whether a frame is repairable from a verbal description.

(lol ....whats AFAIK....?)

Yes MIG welding for the trellis frame; after discussing this with a friend that owns a steel fabricating business; (he does heavy structural and doesn't have the MIG welder) he suggested going the "expert route"; his biggest question was the steel composition which relates to the brazing rod requirement.  Theres flex and fatigue to consider in these frames.

1k a crying shame ... hit from behind or flipped (don't have the details nore do I wish to know; not pretty); frame is torqued 1/2" at the engine mounts ie if its on a flat bench it rocks and bent down on the tail piece; maybe 2" on one side ... swing arm looks OK; tough to tell at this point if its bent; engine mounts snapped right off the Al cases ... ouch!.  I didn't realise the damage to the Al cases until I received it;  not disclosed ... #^%&#!

[D.A.T.101]

AFAIK = As Far As I Know

If it was vintage or a high end race bike i would say talk to DR John http://drjohnsmfs.com/ (don't get put off by the harley/chopper stuff because he services everything)

Maybe see what he says and compare prices to an ebay frame?

[MotoCreations]

engine mounts snapped right off the Al cases ... ouch!.  I didn't realise the damage to the Al cases until I received it;  not disclosed ...

These can be welded up via TIG and someone who knows what they are doing.  Trick is to do small welds at a time to keep rest of the engine case from heating up and causing additional problems later.  Else plan on splitting the case otherwise to weld properly.  Then you can to have the fun of re-boring the engine mount holes in the correct location -- not fun on an engine that is assembled.

First priority is to get the engine case itself fixed so you have reference points again to fix the frame.

[DuciD03]

AFAIK ... good references thanks; checked Dr John .... wow what a Dude!  Seems reasonable .... the frames important because it has the vin and I've imported it .... making the vin more important .... cases yes weld or just get used cases; ...thanks for the info so far; helpfull! cheers Dave

[pitbull]

I'm in about the exact same boat as you as I just picked up a crashed 2000 m900 with the same engine mount crack in the engine and frame issue. I do know that the motor mount crack can be welded successfully as I had it done 2 summers ago on my 2001 900 after it cracked when hit a huge pothole on the infamous Michigan interstate system. I've since put thousands of miles on that bike without issue.

anyhow, I have a good friend who builds race cars and has a backround in motorcycles as well. He figures the frame should be a fairly easy fix for him. I'm taking the engine and frame to him in the next couple days and will report back here with the results and some pictures.

Having stripped the bike down, I'm feeling less and less like I'm in over my head, but it's still going to take me some time. While I learn things quickly and am good with my hands, I simply have very little mechanical experience, so I'm looking forward to the learning experience.

[Norm]

Yes, it can easily be fixed so that it is stronger than new. The hard part is determining it's straightness. I used to fix them and started with a complete bike, string, plumb bob, level, etc.. The tubing is indeed a mild steel but Ducati gives it some weird # that nobody's ever heard of. TIG weld it and have your welder use whatever his favorite rod is (most experienced welders don't like being TOLD what rod to use).
If you have to, you can cut out a section of tube and replace it. Just add a sleeve at each end where it gets welded.
If you need some help, my email is in my profile.

[DuciD03]

Yes, it can easily be fixed so that it is stronger than new. The hard part is determining it's straightness. I used to fix them and started with a complete bike, string, plumb bob, level, etc.. The tubing is indeed a mild steel but Ducati gives it some weird # that nobody's ever heard of. TIG weld it and have your welder use whatever his favorite rod is (most experienced welders don't like being TOLD what rod to use).
If you have to, you can cut out a section of tube and replace it. Just add a sleeve at each end where it gets welded.
If you need some help, my email is in my profile.

ok ....  it is sounding possible; so the next question; is it possible to fix within a reasonable budget ... so what would a reasonable cost for frame analysis, welding; straighteneing, (and maybe xray checking welds?)  paint; how much total? 

[Norm]

Depends on who's doing the work and how much beer they're charging you. Do as much as you can yourself, and then TELL a welder what you want done. Maybe even fit the tubing 1st to save him/her time.
If you feel the need to x-ray a weld, you're using the wrong welder.
Do you have any pics of the bike all together?

[DuciD03]

Depends on who's doing the work and how much beer they're charging you. Do as much as you can yourself, and then TELL a welder what you want done. Maybe even fit the tubing 1st to save him/her time.
If you feel the need to x-ray a weld, you're using the wrong welder.
Do you have any pics of the bike all together?

I'd be happy to buy the beer ... the long top piece of seat tubing is bent a bit .... I have pics before I purchased it; and meant to take pics before dismantling ... everthing had been carfully dismantled and all parts are organized and accounted for ... unfortunately your in the NE right coast I'm North of the NW on the left coast ... I'd put the frame in the back of the truck and bring it over with a case of beer to discuss ... but its a long drive.