In light of my recent adding a Nomad aux fuel tank and Dirt Bagz, who has actually had the problem of a failed/cracked/broken rear subframe?

https://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=30917

What load did you have?

Is the problem always in the same spot?

What did you do to repair it?

I'll heed the many warnings and do some preventative "repairs" and I'm looking for a bit of a heads up.
Otherwise I will use my best judgement.

 

A16Tony did something similar and had subframe problems:

https://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum...ead.php?t=2296

But yours is a different set up. I think they way your tank is carried, you'd be less likely to put so much stress on the subframe. His was actually on the rack itself which meant the load was carried directly where the rack mounted. It looks to me like the load on yours is more distributed. But I don't know ... wouldn't hurt to beef it up some if you can.

 

Check out the below link, Neil. The thread has a detailed description of a broken subframe and subsequent repair on Dan's bike. This resulted from only having a pelican case on the bike at one time. He did say that he takes a lot of jumps and also uses the rear subframe to pick the bike up, so it's anybody's best guess as to the cause. Suffice to say that this bike's subframe is pretty weak though.

http://klxforum.suncup.net/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=257

 

Niel, in looking at your photos in your other thread, I think if you could shift your tank forward about 8 inches or so where it would be sitting on the very back of the seat, basically where your dirt bags are hanging, I think you should be fine. Whether that crowds your sitting position too much is another thing, I guess it would be similar to riding two-up.

 

It breaks around where the arrow is, when the subframe on my GPz550 broke I had a piece of round steel inserted into the frame then welded the frame back in place. I know yours hasn't broken just letting you know what I did. I then had 2 pieces either side of the join welded to the frame to re-enforce the joint

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys.
I will be doing some preventative stuff for sure.


Although that would solve the subframe issue, its not possible.
There are 2 x 10mm bolts that hold the aux tank down that can't be seen in these pics. The bungee straps are just a bit of back-up.

Plus, I use the whole seat when trail riding. You gotta get waayyyy back there on the steep, slippery down hills.

One thing I need to think about is carrying a tent and other sleeping stuff for multi day remote touring, without having all the weight too far back.
I suspect that the rear of the seat is the only practical place to strap it.

 

unless theres heavy winds expected, or rain, i say ditch the tent. by end of my death valley trip, i ended up with just the sleeping bag on the rack, a back pack and thats it. i plan to pack that way from now on, less **** to worry about and slow me down.

 

Do you happen to know what gauge that gusset is he put in?

 

Another subframe beef-up thread on the go on this forum right now:

https://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum...ubframe-31314/

 

Thanks ol'klx-er, I'm actually at the moment talking some stuff out with redpillar right now on that thread. I like what he did and what Neil did @.....
klxforum.suncup.net • View topic - Broken subframe!

I'm in the process of working out a plan to strenghten my subframe before my trip so I hopefully eliminate any future mishaps. If you have any suggests. i'm open to them all.