| Author | Message | ||
     Stige |
The posts on this topic seem to be a little light on actual repair process detail and knowledge, or just old, so i'm interested in current information regarding this topic. Anyone with experience and/or knowledge about repairing dents in the tank / frame caused by impact damage please chime in. (background) my 2005 xb9sx has a 1.5(w) x 3(h) x 0.5(d) inch dent underneath where the frame puck sits. the puck was ripped off on the first impact during a high-side and the second impact/bounce caused the damage to the tank/frame. the dent does not cross the crease in the frame at the rear-most part of where the the puck attaches but it's VERY close to it. i'm looking for input on (and i think these are some of the questions that every person who dents their frame wonders): - how does this damage affect the integrity of the frame (can it be considered cosmetic damage)? - when assessing the tank/frame, what amount of damage to this area WOULD constitute needing to scuttle the bike (or replace the frame) because it's unsafe to ride? - i would like to reshape the dented area. what are the ways to go about that and the pro's and con's to each method? - i would like to re-attach the frame puck that was involved in my crash since it looks to be no worse for wear (just some scratches that give it 'character'). is this advisable or should i buy a new one? when the puck came off it appeared to have packing foam underneath, can i re-pack it with any type of styrofoam or does it require a specific type? are there other/better/unadvisable options for adhering the puck to the frame than the stock sticky stuff? thanks in advance for any constructive input. | ||
| Rsh |
The XB frames are fairly sturdy, and also crash fairly well. Do you have insurance, most insurers will total an XB if the frame is damaged. Other than the obvious dent issue, is the bike ridable, does it go down the road straight, does it have any stability issues, did the tail section twist. You can do all the basic inspections. A more in depth inspection from a place like GMD Computrac is not cheap, but you will know if the bike is straight or not. If you are satisfied with you own inspection then you can move on to fixing the dent(s). I have not heard of anyone using any method other than body filler, Bondo or some of the metal type filler's. Sometimes all thats needed is a new frame puck to cover the problem | ||
| Stige |
bike tracks just fine. no looseness or jiggling from front or rear. the tail itself did not twist. the passenger footpeg bracket bent in towards the bike and it looks like there is a teeny hairline crack where one of the screws connects it to the tail section. the crack is vertical, or parallel, to the direction of the seat/bike. it doesn't not run 'horizontally' across the seat. that said i was able to just pull it back away from the bike and it's holding it's position and has held my wife's weight. i do have insurance but i don't think the bike needs to be totaled. that aside it happened long enough ago now, and i never filed a police report, that totaling it may be a non-issue. i'd prefer to not incur the increased fee's, as well. i'm confident that it's just the dent in the frame and that's what i want to learn about. what does the bondo method consist of? | ||
| Rsh |
Here is a link to a basic tutorial on how to fix a dent using body filler (Bondo). They are fixing a car in this example, it will give you an idea of whats involved. The key to a good repair is the initial preparation. http://autorepair.about.com/od/fixityourself/ss/bo ndo.htm If you are not comfortable doing the job yourself, I am sure most any auto body repair shop would take care of it, and it would not be too expensive. | ||
| Stige |
nice. that looks fairly straightforward. in fact i think 1/2 of that process doesn't even apply to my project since i will be putting the puck on top of the Bondo i'm not too worried about blending it with the surrounding powder coat/paint. hrm. what is that on the '05 frames? is that a light grey powder coat or a light colored paint? also, any recommendations for re-attaching the puck? i'm thinking about using 3M VHB double sided tape. the stuff will attach metal to plastic, should conform well to any imperfections and is okay to use on powder coats as well. maybe i'll see about photo-documenting it for posterity (someone might care, someday. right?) | ||
| Rsh |
You can buy Buell frame touch up paint from the dealer, it comes in spray can or touch up bottle form. The early XB frames were either graphite grey or fluid silver depending on year and model. I would buy new frame pucks, they are cheap, and the kit comes with that activator solution which is important for proper adhesion of the puck to the frame. |
