Triple clamp, rearset, and front wheel replacement

[Kegan]

Hey everyone, I recently took a spill on my new (for me) 2004 620D. Other than just generally banging everything up and feeling stupid, I ended up cracking the front wheel, top triple clamp, and left rearset. I was able to get the triple and the rearset from a wrecker out in OH off of Ebay (still need that front wheel if you're asking).

Anyways, I want to do the wrenching myself, mostly because I want to learn about the bike and partially because I'm broke. Are there any wise tips for me before I start taking things apart? I own a Jeep, too, so I do a lot of fixing but this will be the first bike I've ever worked on. Thanks for the help.

[DarkStaR]

You probably need new forks also.  If not from the crash, the rust on the slider.

[Kegan]

The rust ends pretty much where the frame of the picture ends. It would take a serious bump to get the travel down that far. Duly noted, though. Much appreciated.

[battlecry]

Sorry for your spill and glad you are ok.  A lot of great project bikes start that way.  Take your time and look over everything.  Get good stands, a workshop manual, and a torque wrench.  You can obtain a manual online.  Check for cracks on the frame around the head.  The wheel and the triple probably took the brunt, but be safe and not sorry.  Good luck and post progress/questions.

[Howie]

The rust ends pretty much where the frame of the picture ends. It would take a serious bump to get the travel down that far. Duly noted, though. Much appreciated.

Just one trip over the rust and the seals are gone, you need forks.   Forks, triple, foot peg bracket, wheel, possible frame damage, excessive rust (how did the tank do?), etc.  Get a second opinion from a local expert before putting dollars and effort into that bike.

[Speeddog]

Sorry to hear of your spill.

Just one trip over the rust and the seals are gone, you need forks.   Forks, triple, foot peg bracket, wheel, possible frame damage, excessive rust (how did the tank do?), etc.  Get a second opinion from a local expert before putting dollars and effort into that bike.

+1 to the above.

I'd be *really* surprised if the frame was not damaged.

I've seen quite a few sets of forks bent without breaking the triples, so I'd expect them to be bent.

[Kegan]

I did a thorough check of the frame, and nothing looks or feels different from the day I bought it. Somewhat unscientific, but it LOOKS okay. I'll check and recheck the forks when I start taking the thing apart, and I'll start saving for new ones anyways even if they're still operable, on account of the rust. It appears that the wheel and the triple took the impact damage pretty much straight on based on the accident itself (into a curb) and the looks of the damage. I can't believe I hit it hard enough to crack the triple and the wheel, as I was going maybe 12mph, but that's life I suppose. The tank was dented from the previous owner on the right side, but scratched pretty well and dented by me almost identically on the left side. I (as pictured) bent the gear selector and took off the left driver footpeg, which i think in turn caused the crack in the rearset. I scratched the exhaust but no severe damage there. Overall I'm convinced it was a pretty minor ordeal, although I'm pissed I did it. Thanks for the questions and comments, everyone.

[Spidey]

I'd be *really* surprised if the frame was not damaged.

+11tyb.  Forks are almost certainly bent and I'd wouldn't be surprised if your steering head tube was tweaked.  It would suck to do all the work getting it back together only to find it's all tweaked.  At a minimum, I'd take it to a frame guy for a quick check.    

Those top triples are like a bumper.  They're cast, and seem to blow apart at exactly that spot when there's a significant front end collision.  And I'd call hitting a curb hard enought to break the front rim and the triple--even at low speed--a significant collision.

[Bones]

similar spill on my M620 head on to the back of a car which bent rim, cracked top triple and broke right rearset. Forks looked ok, but I replaced them to be safe. It is a straightforward process, just measure location of forks to triple (height), torque to proper specs. I was lucky and didn;t tweak steering head, but I replaced steering head bearings because its just dumb not to after a hit like that. also replaced front wheel bearings after I got the wheel straightened (same reason).

I was also doing about 10 MPH when I hit and was surprised at all the damage.  Don;t know if you had frame sliders on the bike or not, but check the engine where the frame bolts go through. I found out after the fact that I had a partial crack on the engine and had to take it out to get it welded.

[Kegan]

Okay. I'll take it to the local Ducati shop when I get it back together with functioning parts. Problem is, I'll have to ride it there, so if there is frame damage or the forks are bent, will that prevent me from getting it to the shop? Sounds unsafe, I know, but I am BROKE; towing it is out of the question. It's a remote possibility that I might find someone with a truck capable of moving the bike, but let's assume that's a distant option. Any ideas there?

[Kegan]

Okay, much of everything's in order. I figured out I bent the axle as well. The triples have been replaced, and the forks are straight. Much to my pleasant surprise, I accidentally got a SpeedyMoto top triple with risers for $65 from some dismantler who didn't know that wasn't a stock unit! Win! A wheel is in the mail, so after replacing the axle, putting her all back together, and replacing odd bits here and there, she'll be good to go.

[Slide Panda]

I accidentally got a SpeedyMoto top triple with risers for $65 from some dismantler who didn't know that wasn't a stock unit!

Lucky you! That's a great deal.

Where (what area) did you get that bike from? By a warm sea coast? Just looking at all the corrosion on it got me curios.

[Kegan]

San Francisco. Right on the money with that guess. I definitely noted the corrosion, but I got this bike for $2000 with full service records and 19k miles on it, and prior to me crashing it like a dumbass, it needed only cosmetic loving (and perhaps new forks, but I'm a pragmatist). I say I got a deal.

Edit: I forgot to mention earlier that in replacing the top triple, I replaced the lower triple and steering tube as well as the top nut ($65 all together, call me a bargain shopper). Forks slid right in, and are spaced apart 10in exactly on top, middle, and bottom.