Hey Guys,
Back in August, I was sideswiped by a car which pretty much destroyed the left side of my bike. Upon visual inspection I noticed several things. First off, the lower left bracketin which the engine guard bolts to is bent (probably could pound that out with a mallet) as well as the left side footboard front and rear brackets (replacing the brackets would fix that).

My question is... how doesone determine whether the front downtubes are tweaked or slightly bent?

I used a level across the two downtubes and I really couldn't tell either way. I had a friend ride it and he couldn't tell either. I don't want the insurance company taking the bike to some frame repair shop.I want a new frame!

[IMG]local://upfiles/15884/D89589DC79094B5FB5DAA1FCA7B7F418.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/15884/2670C6C095BD4B31B9389B4DDDEC97A0.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/15884/2B5C64A7B228428686B2333F19DD4D77.jpg[/IMG]

 

Jesus dude is that blood all down the side? Looks like a bad crash, hope your allright. You could stand the bike straight up and hang a plumb bob at the top of each tube and messure the distance from the bottom to the tube to the string and see if they are the same for both sides. Then hang the bob in the center and messure the distances from the tubes from side to side and see if that's square. I would closely inspect each weld to see if any are cracked, and the motor mounts too,that would probably get you that new frame. Good luck

 

Take it to a frame shop that specializes in that field such as GMD Computrack

 

Question... if you were sideswiped BY the car.. I would assume THEY were at fault. Why would you even mess with ANY repairs yourself? Get that thing into a shop where they have the proper tools to check for a bent frame, and other damage that you will miss.

I had a major brain fart, and dumped my Ultra a couple of years back. $12.5K in damage. I took it to the dealer I bought it from. They fixed it right, and I haven't had any trouble with it.

 

If the frame has ANY bend in it, at a tab, or mounting point.... If the Down tubes, Spine or rear fender support arms are not straight and even within 1/8", or the powder coating is cracked or chipped in any form, the frame is shot....

An FL frame goes for about $1300.00 from H-D (VIN Correct BTW).... to do a swap takes about 14-16 hours...

I have done quite a few frame swaps, and the insurance companies like it as it is a lot easier to use a brand new, straight frame than to total it out.....

I have seen what some frame shops do... some are good, but most are pretty poor in their straightening efforts....

FWIW, would you feel safer with a NEW frame or a Reconditioned frame.....

It's your call, but if the other insurance company is footing the bill... I'd do the full frame swap...

 

it shuld get a new frame of any bends and cracks are found, the left mount weld is cracked in the pic i see, time for a frame job........... BTW, how did you fiar in the crash, i aslo see alot of someones blood

 

I believe this is the best option available. Your question I answered: My question is... how doesone determine whether the front downtubes are tweaked or slightly bent? The best solution: Shovelhead Bob

 

Thanks guys for the info. It just concurred with my thoughts exactly. The insurance compant came over yesterday and they're going to foot the bill for a new one. BTW... the new frame from HD is $2k and 28 hrs labor for the switchout. And yes, that be my blood all over the bike[:@]