Custom made subframes

**Gremlin** · 5th August 2010, 22:42

Thoughts please from all the bright sparks

It appears my subframe is not up to scratch, strength wise, and having my second subframe start showing the signs of cracking within 6 months of installation, a better solution is needed (last one went a little over year, then noticed it was broken in two places).

Either the oem is strengthened (which is going to be difficult) or the oem taken to someone that can build one out of proper metal (not pretend). I believe the OEM is cromolybdenum or something like that (but that can be confirmed).

Essentially, the top box is able to flex (52L maxia) back and forth and only two of four mounting bolts are really under load. The flex then allows the frame to crack around welds. The frame probably has to be extended so the load can be spread...

Ideas?

**Squiggles** · 6th August 2010, 00:40

Ask in the adventure forum / advrider (I assume its for the ktm). Surely someone else has piled on the luggage/pounds with similar results

**Gremlin** · 6th August 2010, 02:12

most try to use those horrible bikes that do lots of off road

I'll leave it here for now, as its frame related, mods like things tidy, see if I can get some advice...

**imdying** · 6th August 2010, 10:40

Wrap that bitch in carbon

**SlowHand** · 6th August 2010, 12:18

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Thoughts please from all the bright sparks

It appears my subframe is not up to scratch, strength wise, and having my second subframe start showing the signs of cracking within 6 months of installation, a better solution is needed (last one went a little over year, then noticed it was broken in two places).

Ideas?

Have you thought about cutting down your pie intake to 6 a day.

Surely any engineer worth his salt can sort you out. (You could use the money you save from pies to pay for it, a la those quit smoking ads.)

**PeeJay** · 7th August 2010, 08:31

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Thoughts please from all the bright sparks

It appears my subframe is not up to scratch, strength wise, and having my second subframe start showing the signs of cracking within 6 months of installation, a better solution is needed (last one went a little over year, then noticed it was broken in two places).

Either the oem is strengthened (which is going to be difficult) or the oem taken to someone that can build one out of proper metal (not pretend). I believe the OEM is cromolybdenum or something like that (but that can be confirmed).

Essentially, the top box is able to flex (52L maxia) back and forth and only two of four mounting bolts are really under load. The flex then allows the frame to crack around welds. The frame probably has to be extended so the load can be spread...

Ideas?

You could try John@triplezee. 10 yrs ago he built a new subframe for my moto guzzi after the 2nd one broke. He redesigned the whole thing, moved everything around and I ended up with enough underseat storage to put my wet weather gear and lunch under the seat. There was nil underseat b4. Visited his workshop last month, he has just got a new whizz bang plasma welder so must be itching to make something. Lathe , mill, welders, not much he cant do.

**PeeJay** · 7th August 2010, 08:36

And th e subframe is still working 3 owners and 10 yrs later. Friend of a friend now owns it.

**Gremlin** · 7th August 2010, 12:52

heh, I know John, he's done work for me previously, but on the tuning side. Didn't realise he was also that into the metal side etc. Will keep in mind.