cracked sub-frame

[rwalterk]

I can officially report that tying two bikes together in a truck bed via the passenger pegs is a bad idea.  I took my bike in for its 8000 mile service right after our ride on Saturday at which point the mechanic noticed a nice crack in the sub-frame.  It's gotta be replaced (I don't feel like getting it welded and hoping it stays together).  $250 + ~$170 for labor.    The last time back from Willow Springs probably did it - that sucker was really getting pulled hard.

Lesson - do not tie the rear down (or to another bike) using the passenger pegs.

[aprilmaybe]

That really sucks! How long will it take to get fixed?

[rwalterk]

Same day they get the part, which should be Wednesday.  I'll be able to ride this weekend.

[pshaw118]

ouch.  How bad was the crack?  Good thing you took it in before going out for another ride.

[wlk12]

Tough - sorry to hear this. I'm also somewhat surprised. I would think the stresses caused by a decent size passenger on a bouncing bike would be far greater than those caused by tying it down. Or did you use trained gorillas to do the job ? Or were the tie downs pulling more or less straight out rather than downward, thus perhaps loading the subframe in some manner it wasn't designed for?

Anyway, I'm confused (no wisecracks please).

Bill K.

[JimT]

Wow, thats kind of scary. The thought of it failing at speed makes me queasy. I will be more careful where I tie my bikes down from now on. I would not have thought this would happen.

You can always get it welded and sell it. Might be able to recoup some money.

[pshaw118]

or sell it as is so the buyer can take it to someone they trust to reweld it.  I'd be a little worried buying a welded subframe without knowing how well it was welded together.

[rwalterk]

Or were the tie downs pulling more or less straight out rather than downward, thus perhaps loading the subframe in some manner it wasn't designed for?

Bingo.  The bikes' inside passenger pegs were tied to each other, so the force was 100% lateral.  I'm just gonna replace the subframe instead of welding it.  It's the safer option and I plan on keeping the bike for a while.

[Hawkster]

Or were the tie downs pulling more or less straight out rather than downward, thus perhaps loading the subframe in some manner it wasn't designed for?

Bingo.  The bikes' inside passenger pegs were tied to each other, so the force was 100% lateral.  I'm just gonna replace the subframe instead of welding it.  It's the safer option and I plan on keeping the bike for a while.

Bummer, Ray.

I'm glad to see that you're diligent enough about safety to replace it despite the cost. 

When I had my '91 Toyota deluxe, I put an eye-bolt in the center of the bed near the back to tie the rear of the bikes to. Never had a problem, but I'll keep it in mind in the future.

Ride safe,

H~

[JC]

Dude, what the hell?!!  How can a whole swingarm fail before a half inch thick aluminum footpeg?  That's unreal... Sorry that happened.

Now what do we do?  Maybe loading one backwards like you mentioned.  We mightneed an extra person to help stabilize on the way up the ramp, but I don't want to risk breaking anything else.

[rwalterk]

Dude, what the hell?!!  How can a whole swingarm fail before a half inch thick aluminum footpeg?  That's unreal... Sorry that happened.

Now what do we do?  Maybe loading one backwards like you mentioned.  We mightneed an extra person to help stabilize on the way up the ramp, but I don't want to risk breaking anything else.

It wasn't the swingarm, just the subframe (basically the upper part from the seat all the way to the tail).  I think we'll be fine if we put both bikes straight in, then put the inside tie-downs through the wheels with a rag.

When I had my '91 Toyota deluxe, I put an eye-bolt in the center of the bed near the back to tie the rear of the bikes to. Never had a problem, but I'll keep it in mind in the future.

I'm guessing if they're being pulled straight down (or at least mostly downward) it's not a problem.  It was just the all-sideways yanking that did it, I'm sure.

[wlk12]

Could it be?

That the rear subframe was damaged in the "slick water" incident over by Lockwood Valley? I reread the post on it, and damage to the passenger peg/support was not mentioned. However, hitting the swingarm slider was mentioned, and it's quite possible the passenger peg could have impacted the ground also.

Ray?

[rwalterk]

Could it be?

That the rear subframe was damaged in the "slick water" incident over by Lockwood Valley? I reread the post on it, and damage to the passenger peg/support was not mentioned. However, hitting the swingarm slider was mentioned, and it's quite possible the passenger peg could have impacted the ground also.

Ray?

The passenger peg didn't have any abrasions or other signs of impact after that fun little spill.  Can't say it wasn't that for sure, but after watching how badly the passenger peg was getting yanked coming home from our last track day, I'm much more inclined to think it was that.  When I think of the water crossing incident, I remember kicking back in the water watching the bike bounce around.  However it seems the frame slider, engine case cover and shifter took all the force. 

[wlk12]

Thanks for the info. It was just a thought I had and I was curious.

It probably was due to the unusual tie down.

Bill K.

[Cammie]

Wow, sorry this happened Ray.  Do you want me to weld the crack or are you going to destroy the damaged frame?