Do these frames bend?

[animalrooster41]

Odd question I know, but I found a restored/rebuilt 03 FJR for $3000. with 15k miles that had a light front hit. I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of bending these frames? The bike runs great, drives very well except for upon turning right it pulls right. The handlebars were turned a little to the right (as if making a slight right turn) when going straight down the road. When driving straight and hitting the breaks it will track straight. I think the forks and triple clamp may not have been assembled correctly after repair. (duh) I have inspected the damaged forks and they are both barely bent/kinked. Is there a jig used to assemble the triple clamps/forks or a method to assure the fork assembly is going to track straight? I am asking this because for $3k I am seriuosly considering buying this bike if the frames cannot bend and it is not cracked. I am going back in a day to drive it again as the repair shop (shade tree) says he will fix the pull to the right thing. Thanks.

 

[animalrooster41]

Lower triple clamp replaced also and slight uneven tire wear up front. Bike has had 2.5k miles put on it since wreck.

 

[Sir Price]

Without photographic evidence its hard to DX , it may just be the forks have moved in the clamps or not been correctly aligned after the rebuild. Just take a look across the forks , like looking through the front wheel and see if the forks line up .

Anything can bend if you hit it hard enough or in the right place. If the forks where barely damaged I would say the frame would be OK. Is all a case of remove as much plastic as you can and see what sort of damage is under the covers . Any photos of the bike prior to the repair may also help you.

 

[Silent]

You say the forks are bent, the tripple tree is probably tweeked as well. Its no wonder the bike is pulling a little with front end damage. There is no jig or special 'secret ninja antilope' tricks for getting the front end back together proper. If the parts are straight, then the front end will be as well. The front frames on these bikes are rather stout. The only breakage I'm aware of is in the rear subframe, and that's usually do to overloaded back boxes and rough roads.

 

[slapnpop]

Bent forks are bent forks. The words "slight" or "just a little" don't apply here.

The front sub-frame is easily *bent* and broken, most often bent, in any collision when the bike ends up on the side. Me sure that the bodywork is straight too. A mis-aligned front end would make it appear the steering is off.

The handlebars themselves are also easily bent in a tip over.

There's just too much to go wrong based on your description. Hell, it could just need the triple clamps loosened, twist everything straight, and re-torque maneuver if everything is really straight on the front end.

 

[mattster31]

Would you trust this frame ??????

 

[animalrooster41]

Thanks guys, I will be very carefull on this one. I drive the bike again tommarrow and if it still pulls right then I will pass. Just didn't know if cast aluminum was even capable of a bend before it broke. It has muzzy system on it and I have decided I like that though. I also learned I like my ABS LINKED brakes as it seems this bike will not stop with as much authority as my 06.

 

[johnny80s]

I say pass. When ever I buy these project type of things there is always more **** that comes out when you get it home.

 

[animalrooster41]

I just learned the 03 comes with 289mm brakes and the 04 on up has 320mm. Can the 320mm brakes be put on a 03 as a simple bolt on? Maybe I should ask this as a separate thread?

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Animal,

You probably can, but you would have to buy the Calipers & the Pads too.

 

[Silent]

Just didn't know if cast aluminum was even capable of a bend before it broke.

Ohh yes, cast aluminum can definatly be bent

 

[madmike2]

Animal,
You probably can, but you would have to buy the Calipers & the Pads too.

And forks. Full answer in the other thread.