Failed/Cracked/Broken Subframe

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #11  
Old 05-28-2011 | 09:06 AM
Finger Mullet's Avatar
Senior Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,332
Default

Originally Posted by MaverickAus


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

Great pic, that's exactly where I cut mine off and threw it away.
 
  #12  
Old 05-28-2011 | 12:17 PM
klx678's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,561
From: Delaware, Ohio
1st Gear Member
Default

Originally Posted by tremor38
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.
You and others have to realize this bike was built to carry about 15 lb on the back rack (high leverage factor) and really one rider off road (rider usually on the pegs under high impact situations). It was never engineered for the loads of carrying a box, a few pounds of liquid, and probably 30 lb of gear. The fact is few short of the BMW and the big adventure tourers are. I'm not too sure the KLR650 doesn't suffer frame problems under the same situation, I know the KLX650 does. It's not just the one bike. Most all dual sports will have issues when overloading the rack area. It's not the rack that will have problems, as is quite clear, it is the subframe.

There needs to be extra support built into the system in gussets and bracing to spread the load out over the tubes and down into the main frame. The breakage will illustrate where it need be done. Some 650 riders will use supports from the rack area to the lower footpeg mount to get some good triangulation. They are also using some under seat frame mods too.

It's just when you hang stuff that far out back the load becomes huge at the fulcrum. Proof? Take a 5lb. can of coffee and hold it against your chest, then hold it out in front of you at full arm's length. You'll understand then if you don't already.

One of the best setups would be to make up some framing for saddle bags that will add some support to the carrier rack, and in using the bags they will lessen the load on the subframe. Another trick is to use ATV tank panniers to carry stuff up there.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kdick91
KLX 250S
2
06-11-2014 11:44 PM
2k1w=no$
KLX 250S
13
10-11-2008 03:00 PM
GS247
Ninja ZX-6R & ZX-6RR
7
09-30-2006 06:26 AM
maubee
Ninja ZX-6R & ZX-6RR
13
07-11-2006 10:58 AM
arrowwhead
General Motorcycle Discussion
2
01-23-2006 05:26 AM



Quick Reply: Failed/Cracked/Broken Subframe



All times are GMT. The time now is 06:31 AM.