My 650 CSR project

I'm glad that I haven't invested any money in this beast except for spark plugs and an order made yesterday that I should be able to return, because I think this project is coming to a screeching halt. That's OK, I learned a lot and have an extra set of carbs and learned a bit about these 650s now. I went to loosen the muffler and found a crack/split in the frame. Now I guess I can go ahead and safely pull the carbs and get them ready for the B1 that I am suddenly a lot more motivated to get. 

82KZ305Belt wrote:

I'm glad that I haven't invested any money in this beast except for spark plugs and an order made yesterday that I should be able to return, because I think this project is coming to a screeching halt. That's OK, I learned a lot and have an extra set of carbs and learned a bit about these 650s now. I went to loosen the muffler and found a crack/split in the frame. Now I guess I can go ahead and safely pull the carbs and get them ready for the B1 that I am suddenly a lot more motivated to get. 

Frames can be welded.  How bad is it?  

Regarding low compression, chances are high that once you start riding the bike that the compression will increase.  Inactivity is the worst thing for these bikes.

Nessism wrote:

82KZ305Belt wrote:

I'm glad that I haven't invested any money in this beast except for spark plugs and an order made yesterday that I should be able to return, because I think this project is coming to a screeching halt. That's OK, I learned a lot and have an extra set of carbs and learned a bit about these 650s now. I went to loosen the muffler and found a crack/split in the frame. Now I guess I can go ahead and safely pull the carbs and get them ready for the B1 that I am suddenly a lot more motivated to get. 

Frames can be welded.  How bad is it?  

Regarding low compression, chances are high that once you start riding the bike that the compression will increase.  Inactivity is the worst thing for these bikes.
 

 I took your earlier comments about compression to heart and am not worrying about that especially since they are all pretty much the same now. I just couldn't resist checking it again when it was warm. Glad I did because seeing them all the same was reassuring.

I'm sure the frame can be fixed (well not entirely sure because there could be other problems I missed), but I'm not sure where. I know I can't fix it. I called around to all the local bike shops and nobody could recommend anyone for the job. I don't know how important it is to to have motorcycle welding experience and I'm not someone who would trust it to just anyone. I will also need to go over it with a fine-toothed comb now to make sure there isn't more damage.  It may not be the end but its a speedbump. 

Its just below and back of the oil sight glass







 
 

Looks like an easy fix.  Maybe water got into the frame tube, and froze, splitting the frame.

You don't need a "motorcycle" frame guy.  Any decent welder can stitch that back up.  It's not a high stress area of the frame, either.

It does look like what happens to my pipes when when they freeze, which was confusing. Didn't know water could get inside the frame.  Doesn't that present concerns about rusting from the inside out? 

82KZ305Belt wrote:

It does look like what happens to my pipes when when they freeze, which was confusing. Didn't know water could get inside the frame.  Doesn't that present concerns about rusting from the inside out? 

Who the heck knows what some previous owners do with their bikes.  Maybe parked the thing under a down spout.  As long as there is no remnant water in the frame, weld and go.  If the water sat inside the frame long enough to compromise structure, I think there would be more indication.

Here's a better picture of it. Definitely must have been a freeze-burst because the frame is expanded for about 2.5 inches of its length, including the open rip. What kind of welding methods would/should be used to repair something like this? That whole 2.5 inches must be weakened. I want to be able to ask the right questions when I talk to someone.
 

 

As long as the thickness of the metal hasn't been compromised (rotted from within) any competent welder should be able to "Mig" or "Tig" that split without issue. You might want to measure the distance from the front engine mounting bolt to the swingarm pivot on both sides, worth a quick check as you don't want to pour money into it if when finished "it only turns right"  (that "ballooning" looks a little strange and could be the result of frontal impact !!) As far as water in the frame goes, that's normal, most frames aren't completely sealed.