Gixxer K7 totalled (frame snapped in 1/2)

[Masterchop]

The frame snapped in two on mine. But it was a pretty hard impact.

Looks like the crash knobs worked.

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

back on topic....
what country did this happen in?

[Fooman]

If that's the case - the weld could be expected to let go along one (or other) side of the weld, not down the middle like that. I'm willing to bet that was poor penetration in the weld.

My two-penneth worth:

The position at the center of the deposited weld metal would suggest some sort of discontinuity or segregation along there. As mentioned previously, weld metal is generally stronger than the surrounding parent metal, generally due to a higher alloy spec and a refined grain structure due to the high rate of cooling after welding (it is essentially a cast metal and the parent metal acts a a big chill during solidification). The weak points in a good weld are generally the fusion line or the heat affected zone of the parent metal.

As a weld is a casting, it can be affected as per normal castings; with shrinkage porosity, gas porosity, slag inclusions and segregation (changing alloy composition due to concentration effects during solidification).

If the QC checks are any good, bad welds would not get through - e.g. poor geometry (undercuts, lack of fusion, lack of penetration) and if they do UT checks, that would pick up slag and porosity. But centerline segregation is hard to pick up without destructive testing.

What such segregation does is it reduces the strength somewhat, but it also reduces the ductility and toughness of the material, reducing the ability to absorb impact damage - it will crack rather than plastically deform. The centerline of the weld is the most likely place for segregation (last place to solidify, and it generally has the coarsest grains (weakest and least ductile part of the weld).

In my experience, cracks due to lack of fusion/lack of penetration tend to travel up the "fusion" line, rather than the centerline. What would be interesting is to see if there was any deformation of the weld and HAZ before fracture - this would indication a lack of ductility at the centerline.

Anyway, that is why I think the weld cracked up the middle rather than the side. The root cause of the failure anyway was GSXR meeting wall at some rate of knots.

Cheers,
FM

[Jimmy B]

Seesh FM, never let it be said that you dont know your welds mate

[HenryDorsetCase]

The frame snapped in two on mine. But it was a pretty hard impact.

holy shit!!

at least your crash bung looks perfect.... apart from the bent bolt. I hope you walked away clean?

[ManDownUnder]

Is a centerline failure cause for general concern? I.e. - if it happened on this bike it could have happened on others.

But then - is that tempered by the fact the fault will only become obvious when run into brick walls (i.e. it's not really a problem after all)

?

[Freakshow]

The frame snapped in two on mine. But it was a pretty hard impact.

Those crash bungs did a great job wher can i get some.

[Rizla]

Dont remember much. Blacked out when I hit the car. Driver reckons he saw me fly threw the air and literally bounce off the tarmak. A torn shoulder muscle was all I got. Was very lucky.

holy shit!!

at least your crash bung looks perfect.... apart from the bent bolt. I hope you walked away clean?

[HenryDorsetCase]

lucky man.


back on topic, surely this is a warranty claim, under the JRA clause?

Dear Mr Suzuki

I was Just Riding Along, when I had to suddenly stop. The frame on my new K7 Gixxer Thou cracked, as per the photographs attached.

I believe this is a manufacturing fault, and I will be pleased to receive a new GSXR1000 at your early convenience.

Thank you for your prompt attention


JRA guy.

[Fooman]

Is a centerline failure cause for general concern? I.e. - if it happened on this bike it could have happened on others.

But then - is that tempered by the fact the fault will only become obvious when run into brick walls (i.e. it's not really a problem after all)

?

It's hard to say - depends on what the design/specification requirements for the frame was (e.g. has to absorb an impact of xx joules without fracture). Cars have standards that they have to meet in terms of energy absorption - don't know if bikes have similar standards, but i doubt it.

The fact that the weld fractured along the centerline could mean that the fusion line and HAZ are in fact a lot stronger than they usually are - perhaps due to better than normal welding procedure. I think your last statement would be highly accurate!

Cheers,
FM

[avgas]

Should be a recall - Why arent suzuki honest about it.
Triumph did.

[Drunken Monkey]

Should be a recall - Why arent suzuki honest about it.
Triumph did.

WTF?

Did you even read the thread?

[avgas]

WTF?
Did you even read the thread?

No of course not.....thats just silly. (pt)
I saying that frames shouldn't brake that badly on a seam. When the triumph 1's did (after poms complained about hitting walls and fucking their bike ) they recalled and got the frame strengthened.
He only made it 50 meters......how fast can ya go in 50m? what speed/impact was the frame suppose to take.

[The Stranger:Me]

He only made it 50 meters......how fast can ya go in 50m? .

Mate, it's a GSXR, not an RSVR, say 150kph

[avgas]

Mate, it's a GSXR, not an RSVR, say 150kph

Wow....
You guys must be really quick.
Your bike must also be fast.