So I went riding with my brother today, and after just under 2 hours of riding he pointed out my bash plate was loose. When we went to tighten the bolts and discovered the bolts were fine - it was actually the front frame cross member that had broken off!

Here is where it has broken off the frame:


Here is the broken off cross member still bolted to the plate:


Looks like it started breaking a while ago judging by the rusted bit:


The other side was a clean break:


So now I need to figure out how to fix things and mount the plate up again. I really don't think simply welding the cross member back on will do the job. Instead I am thinking of welding a couple of nuts onto the more solid part of the frame, drilling new holes in the plate and mounting it up like that. Anyone have advice?

 

The SAME thing happened to mine. THat's a weak cross member.. You got lucky - when mine popped - one of the bolts got punched through my crank case and started a waterfall of oil. One new bottom end later I was back in bidniss.. Go to Home Depot and get yourself two of these:



I think you need 3/4" size but measure first. You'll need to drill two new holes in the plate to mount them. Loop them around your frame tubes. I did mine this way at the beginning of the season and it's strong and durable. Better than bolting to that crappy weak crossmount.

Good luck

 

I'd rather break those little conduit clamps than break the frame out where I welded nuts on it. You have to figure it's going to get beat a lot, why cause damage to the frame as it does. Do the conduit clamps man. Grind the frame, paint it, and clamp the plate.

 

I would use something stronger than conduit clamps.

Kartek Off Road - Light Tabs

The the third tab is what I would use with a welded on nut on the back. I'm sure that there is a car hop up shop in your neighborhood that carries that tab.

 

Yah I don't think the ones I got at Lowes were for conduit.. They're SS and have some strength to them.. I've had it on now for the whole season of torture and they're just fine.

 

Thanks guys!

That clamp idea is a stroke of genius! I would much rather go that route and need to replace the tabs every few months/year than drill and weld the frame - I was uneasy about doing that and affecting the integrity of the frame which is why I asked.

I'll take a look at my local Bunnings (Aussie equivilent of Home Depot I think) and see what they have. Cheers!

 

If you prefer the clamps then Utah Ricochet skid plate has some beefy ones with the nut already welded on. I would check with them. They are 1/8" thick.... thats what I'm running