| Author | Message | ||
     Dktechguy112 |
I called my dealer, and my 1125 is finally ready to pickup. I am going to get it back tomorrow and then I am going to swap the frame out. When i say frame i mean the fuel tank part of the frame. I am trying to decide the best way to remove it. I have a few questions. Do I need to remove the exhaust? I am thinking of building a stand out of 2x4's to support the exhaust/engine and putting the back wheel in a wheel chock. This is what I am thinking of doing. 1. remove the front forks, triple trees, and handlebars. 2. remove the subframe and rearshock. 3. remove the airbox. 4. unscrew the mounts that hook the frame to the engine and remove the frame. 5. swap the fuel pump to the new frame and install the new frame. 6. reinstall everything else in reverse order. Did I miss anything? Any hints from people that have done this would be great. | ||
| Westmoorenerd |
I would say get a factory service manual... | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
I have a service manual, but it doesn't really go over the frame removal. | ||
| Stirz007 |
Service manual describes removal of everything you have to remove to get to bare frame.. Basically, though, you will need to drop the motor (can't get rear header off until you at least rotate the motor), pull the trees and swingarm and that's the big stuff. Remove your muffler and block up the motor on a jack. Support rear wheel so it can't tip to the side, and the motor/swingarm assembly can come off together. This whole effort is tricky, because you basically have to lift the frame off the motor. Ceiling hoists, floor jack and wheel stands all are handy. A shop buddy is recommended, although you can do it by yourself (PITA). The manual is key for helping you "not miss" something important and end up having to buy/repair more parts than you planned. Good luck. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
I am just swapping the fuel tank part of the frame, i don't think i need to rotate the engine. And i know i don't need to pull off the swingarm, as it attaches to the engine. | ||
| Stirz007 |
If you can replace the frame without removing the engine I am all ears - you understand that the engine is mounted to the frame (?) - let me know how that works out. And again, good luck. | ||
| Hootowl |
What part of the frame are you going to leave in place, that isn't part of the gas tank?  | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
The swingarm is fine, i don't need to replace it, i'm just replacing the gas tank. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
I was under the impression that the frame can be pulled off the top of the motor, and i can leave the swingarm/engine in tact. | ||
| Stirz007 |
"I was under the impression that the frame can be pulled off the top of the motor, and i can leave the swingarm/engine in tact." That's what I was trying to communicate. The engine and swingarm can come off as a unit like I said in my first post. Maybe the issue here is terminology. You call it gas tank, I call it frame. The gas tank IS the frame, they are not separate items. You will have to remove the engine from the frame, just like you say in item #4 on your list. Six bolts - four mount to frame, two to K-brackets. | ||
| Hootowl |
It sure looks like it can, I'm just saying the gas tank IS the frame IS the gas tank. There isn't any way to remove the gas tank without removing the frame because they are the same piece. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
ok, you say the engine/swingarm can come off as a unit, but I plan on leaving those alone, and just pulling the frame off the top of the engine. I understand the engine is mounted to the frame, but if i remove the front end(forks, bars, triple trees) and the sub frame then i can remove the bolts that secure the frame to the engine and pull it off the top of the bike? I'm just looking for the best way to remove the frame. I had posted up a thread before and other people told me to leave the engine/swingarm and pull the frame off the top of the bike, link: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/562007.html (Message edited by dktechguy112 on June 17, 2010) (Message edited by dktechguy112 on June 17, 2010) | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
hootowl, I understand the gas tank is the frame, mine has a hole in it and is leaking gas, that is why i have to replace it. | ||
| Hootowl |
Yeah, I got all that. I think once you take off the forks and unbolt the frame from the engine it should come right off. It just struck me as odd when you said: "I am just swapping the fuel tank part of the frame". What other part is there? | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Definately reference the service manual, basically use the steps for rotating the engine (only you wont have to actually rotate). Don't forget the part about purging the fuel line, etc. It's all in the manual. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
hootowl, Looking at what i said it does seem odd. when i said i am just swapping the fuel tank part of the frame i meant I am not swapping out the swingarm, i guess the swingarm is not considered part of the frame. I am reading through the service manual and getting everything ready. I only have 1600 miles on the bike, should i check the spark plugs or values while i have the frame off the bike? | ||
| Hootowl |
It certainly wouldn't hurt since you have ready access to them. With the self cleaning routine built into the ECM though, fouled plugs aren't generally an issue with this bike, or so I have gathered, I'm still riding a tuber. Good luck swapping your frame. Sucks that you have to do something major like that this early in the life of the bike. Post pictures! | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
I'm taking video, and when i find my camera i will start taking pictures. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
I still say slap in some JB Weld and ride! | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
Duphuckincati, I was thinking about that, but i was told the sealant inside the tank has been compromised, so the gas will eat the aluminum tank. And the structural integrity of the frame has been compromised, not to mention that i already bought the frame. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
gasoline will eat aluminum? | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
that is what i was told. I was told that the inside of the tanks/frames are coated in a sealant, and since mine has a hole in it the sealant has been compromised. I was told that if i do not change the frame the gas will destroy the aluminum frame. | ||
| Duggram |
Dktechguy112, can you tell us what the frame cost? Thanks. | ||
| Rotaxrider |
It's not the gas that'll eat the frame it's the ethanol in it. That's why vehicles that are E85 compatible don't use aluminum components along the fuel system. Since most gas we buy is 10% ethanol already I'm not sure how bad it would be to use JB Weld. Erik built a fuel-in-frame bike in '87 or '89 with an aluminum frame, and I'm willing to bet that the inside wasn't coated. | ||
| Cherry_bomb |
you'll get a new frame for about 1000us$ part no. L0600.2AMYCX | ||
| Stevek1125r |
Can i get your phone number and address. i want be able to call you for the cheap parts when this swap goes all wrong ...  | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
duggram, a frame through harley is $1300. Erik Buell racing sells pull offs from stock 1125's for $600. The catch is they are race only, and they do not have a vin imprinted on them. | ||
| Avalaugh |
Can always stamp your own on  i have done this before, and just pull the thing apart stirz007, it's only nuts and bolts, i stripped mine to a fairly decent state within an hour, i reckon 2-3 more hours and it would of been all over my garage floor in pieces. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
yeah i have already stripped the subframe when my bro wrecked it before. So its not my first time tearing into the bike. This time will be a lot more work, as i have never had the forks off. I enjoy wrenching and have a lot of bikes/quads. I have the whole summer to do this, so i am going to go slow and make sure i do it right. Avalaugh, Are you serious that you stamped your own frame? I was told it is illegal to stamp a frame. If so, where did you do it and how much was it? | ||
| Avalaugh |
The forks come off with ease too buddy, once the fairing is off, disconnect throttle cables and clutch lever/resvoir al in one piece, undo the steering stem bolt and the whole front end just wheels off in 1. This bike really is a joy to work on, been very well thought out. I have a friend who has a set of vin stamps, so i just ground down the number on a frame i bought, stamped in the the ID from my broken frame and had the whole frame powder coated. You couldn't even tell that it had been done. This was not on my Buell, it was a Kawasaki ZZR which i crashed and burst the original frame, i love streetfighters and have built a few over the years. Yes it's illegal, but so is speeding and we all do that. From this -  to this -  |
