Cry for help in the Bristol area

[mackemforever]

Ok, now I know this is a bit of a long shot but I thought it was worth a go anyway!

I had my 2000 SV650S in for an MOT a few weeks ago and it was found to have a bent frame. No idea how it happened, it was straight a year ago for its last MOT and it hasn't been crashed since, but oh well.

Anyway, everybody I have spoken to says that I should pick up a 2nd hand frame and swap the bike onto that frame, so I've gone ahead and bought myself a new frame.

The problem is, I don't have the tools or mechanical knowledge required to change the frame on a bike, I can do most basic stuff but I'm not prepared to do something that major by myselv. I've got quotes from a couple of places but they are both saying about 8 hours work if I deliver the bike to them stipped down to the frame, engine and rear swingarm, and they both charge about £35 an hour.

I flat out can't afford that at the moment, being a student I am broke as hell. I've emailed a few other places for a quote and will hopefully hear back tomorrow, however in the mean time I thought I would put a message up here.

Is there anybody in the Bristol area who has the knowledge and equipment to swap the frame on a bike? I know it would be a big job and I'd be happy to pay you for your time.

Please let me know if you are able to help.

Thanks,

Alex.

[squirrel_hunter]

The frame is bent, where, pictures please?

Before you go swapping frames are you sure that is what is required?

Who did the MOT for you (I used to live in Bristol so know a fair few bike garages and can recommend a very good one should it be required)?

[mackemforever]

It was done by Bristol Bike Doc.

What I was told by them is that the frame needed either replacing or straightening, but that the frames on the SV aren't great frames to straighten and that if you do get one straightened that it becomes very weak.

I haven't got pictures of the frame at the moment as the bike is at home and I'm at uni about 300 miles away. I am sure that it was the frame that was bent though. The wheel alignment is about an inch out and every other part has been checked & double checked and everything is perfect except the frame. It is also quite obviously bent towards the front. Not sure exactly how to describe it but near the front end, where the top and bottom tubes of the frame are joined by a couple of smaller pieces the whole bottom section is shifted over to one side.

[squirrel_hunter]

I don't know those guys who did your MOT but if you say the frame is obviously bent why has it only came to light now?

Can I also just clarify the bike is in Bristol and you are elsewhere, when will you be back with the bike, and when are you looking at getting this done?

[mackemforever]

I don't know those guys who did your MOT but if you say the frame is obviously bent why has it only came to light now?

Can I also just clarify the bike is in Bristol and you are elsewhere, when will you be back with the bike, and when are you looking at getting this done?

Well I hadn't really used the bike at all since its last MOT, about 150 miles, if that, and all of that has been slow speed through traffic in town, so I was never pushing the bike in the slightest and so it felt fine to me. Also, new rider, first big bike, and so I hadn't realised that it felt odd.

Also, just found some notes on my computer and an inch out was way over. The notes I've got here are obviously what I wrote down after the MOT and it says that it is about 1 to 1.5cm out.

[mackemforever]

I'm currently at Uni and will be till about a months time.

[gruntygiggles]

Don't let Squirrel_Hunter help you, you'll have two bent things in your garage then ;-)

[squirrel_hunter]

Personally before I'd have even bought a replacement frame I would have got a second opinion as its not a short or cheap job to swap them over as you've discovered. Particularly as you say you are a new rider. So when you do come back to the bike I'd be interested to see it.

Don't let Squirrel_Hunter help you, you'll have two bent things in your garage then ;-)

Thank you dear.

As for the request of help, if I were to do the swap I would want it in my garage and I simply don't have the room for it. However if I'm free I could assist if required.

[tigersaw]

Did you see or have them explain the problem - was it when they checked the wheel alignment with the parallel bars?
Is your rear wheel adjusted parallel each side, are your forks perfectly parallel in the clamps?
Some bikes, DR350 for example, dont have the wheels directly in line anyway - for them to condemn the frame I'd be wanting more details rather than just accepting it.

[_Stretchie_]

So then just to recap, I think he's got the general idea that a second opinion on if the frame was bent before buying the spare frame may have been a good idea.

Free to assist if I can when you are available, me and Squirrell normally come as a pair. And if you want cheap labour BaP is normally good to hand you spanners and generally get the micky taken out of him while you work. He likes it.

Where abouts in Briztole are you?

[mackemforever]

I haven't had a 2nd opinion on the frame by a garage, however I have had a couple of garages check out just about every single part which could have caused the problem. I have also had the bike looked at by a friend who has ridden, serviced and repaired his own bikes for about 30 years. I would get him to help me with this but he now lives in Germany so that would be a bit tricky! Also, as I've said before, the frame is visibly out of shape, its not a minor thing, you can see that it isn't as it should be.

[tigersaw]

It is also quite obviously bent towards the front.

OK, my speed reading missed that sentance

[Jayneflakes]

Not sure that I have much that I can bring to the table here, but I am fairly close to Bristol and can provide support of some kind here if we can organise a day to help this lad.

Give me a shout.

[mackemforever]

Thank you so much for the offers of help guys.

I'm not actually in Bristol at the moment, away at Uni, but I'm back from the 16th December till 13th January, so if anybody might be able to spare an afternoon during that month it would be an amazing help.

[mackemforever]

Hope everybody had a good Christmas.

I'm now back in Bristol and so am now looking to get this done. Is there anybody who could find the time to help any time between this Saturday and about January 10th?

Thanks.

[P-J]

I'm about!

I'll be useless the 1st of Jan for obvious reasons and like most am back to work on the 3rd for the rest of the week.

I'm no genius so hopefully others will offer as well and I will be a willing goofer! ;)

[BaP]

Same, but good for passing spanners!

[_Stretchie_]

I'm available on Sunday 1st, off to Swindon on Monday the 2nd though and need to do a trip to Wales sometime after this weekend to pick my bike up so that might eat in to next weekend a bit but am happy to help.

Even if I just rock up and we begin to strip it down on Sunday but I'm warning you, I wouldn't be turning up at 09:00 on new years day

; )

What are your working conditions like? Roadside / Garage (heated or not?) / Got a kettle?

[mackemforever]

I'm available on Sunday 1st, off to Swindon on Monday the 2nd though and need to do a trip to Wales sometime after this weekend to pick my bike up so that might eat in to next weekend a bit but am happy to help.

Even if I just rock up and we begin to strip it down on Sunday but I'm warning you, I wouldn't be turning up at 09:00 on new years day

; )

What are your working conditions like? Roadside / Garage (heated or not?) / Got a kettle?

Don't worry, I'm pretty sure I will be in a coma early on the 1st.

To be honest, I think once I've seen it all being stripped down and been given a hand putting some of the major components back in I would be happy to rebuild the majority of it myself.

As for working conditions, it is in a garage, not heated but we've got a couple of electric heaters lying around here that I can dig out. It isn't huge but there is enough space to work. The only problem is tools, as in I don't really have a tool kit. I've got bits and pieces, usually just bought as and when I've needed them. Also, not sure how you'd want to get the bike jacked up to do the job, I haven't got any proper stands for it (have never had enough spare funds to buy some) so it is currently on an improvised center stand.

[BaP]

Where are you? I have an abba stand, some tools, a book of lies but no knowledge!

[mackemforever]

Where are you? I have an abba stand, some tools, a book of lies but no knowledge!

If I could borrow the stand that would be fantastic.

I'm in Bristol but am free tomorrow so could pop over and collect the stand if that would be OK, could then drop it back a few days later after the work is done.

[_Stretchie_]

So, just so that everyone who is willing to help is on the same page, we need an idea of what exaclty is needed. These things need a bit of planning

- Where in Bristol are you? Horfield / Hotwells / Bedminster?
- What tools do you have there? Need to know what we need to bring, I'll be honest mate I'm happy to come and help but I'm not leaving my tools anywhere. Nowt personal, it's taken me years to get my tools together and I won't leave them with most people that I do actually know well.
- When you say you want to swap the frame what exactly is required? Just move the engine from one to the other or is it all fairings and brakets and wiring looms have to be swapped from the old frame to the new? A picture of both frames as they are right now would help out enourmously


: )

[BaP]

I am also offering help, but agree further info needed.

Stretchie won't leave his tools with me, unless I put the ones I want in my tool box/under my cover alls on a tea break, then he has no choice ;)

[gruntygiggles]

So, just so that everyone who is willing to help is on the same page, we need an idea of what exaclty is needed. These things need a bit of planning

- Where in Bristol are you? Horfield / Hotwells / Bedminster?
- What tools do you have there? Need to know what we need to bring, I'll be honest mate I'm happy to come and help but I'm not leaving my tools anywhere. Nowt personal, it's taken me years to get my tools together and I won't leave them with most people that I do actually know well.
- When you say you want to swap the frame what exactly is required? Just move the engine from one to the other or is it all fairings and brakets and wiring looms have to be swapped from the old frame to the new? A picture of both frames as they are right now would help out enourmously


: )

It's because he is a tool...therefore they are all extensions of himself and he cannot function without them! ;-)

I am also offering help, but agree further info needed.

Stretchie won't leave his tools with me, unless I put the ones I want in my tool box/under my cover alls on a tea break, then he has no choice ;)

BaP...you know what he'll do to you when he finds them don't you???

I would love to offer help, but alas, I am useless at such things other than holding spanners and carrying things, so instead, I will utilise my amazing Christmas pressie off Stretchie and bake some cakes for you all :-)

Off to walk dogs now!

[mackemforever]

Sorry, realised this thread is a bit bare of information!

I'm over in Long Ashton.
Tool wise, I've got bugger all here to be honest. I've got a decent toolkit but that is currently in my University flat about 300 miles away! I've got small number of socket wrenches and a few sets of allen keys but not much else.
The donor frame is just a bare frame, nothing more. My current bike is stripped down a bit, but only as far as I felt comfortable doing without somebody with more knowledge there. The front end has all been taken off, obviously all the bodywork is done, however all the wiring looms, engine and the back end of the bike are still in place.
What needs to be moved to the new frame? Everything. The only part being changed on the bike is the frame, so everything needs to be moved over to the new one.

[P-J]

Lol @Stretchie!

Long Ashton is good for me but its the posher part of Bristol so Stretchie might have trouble getting over the county border :)

[BaP]

Time? I can bring stand/adaptors and some tools.

However, my girlfriend has the car on NYD at the moment. Can anyone do a flying pick up?

[mackemforever]

Time? I can bring stand/adaptors and some tools.

However, my girlfriend has the car on NYD at the moment. Can anyone do a flying pick up?

Whereabouts are you? I might be able to give you a lift.

[BaP]

Miles away. Stoke Gifford

[mackemforever]

Well if nobody else can provide tools, a stand or give you a lift then it isn't too far.

[BaP]

Mr Mackem, you have several offers of help here but we need you to give us an address/time.

I know you will also need some specialist tools for this, and I know that Squirrel Hunter has them in the boot of his car for you.

I have tools/stand and book and now a car...so...

We need more info

[mackemforever]

I know BaP. I just got home from work and was gonna send out a bunch of PM's now with more details to those who have volunteered.

[The Idle Biker]

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd400/IdleBiker/sv650/3stooges.jpg

[_Stretchie_]

Well it's stripped...

Me, Squirrell and BaP went around on new years day and got it stripped, and some of the brackets onto the replacement frame but several of the bolts need a good cleaning and greasing before putting them back in.

BaP will be posting a picture of how it was left sometime soon. I think we are going back on Saturday to carry on

[littleoldman2]

Well done lads, a credit to the org

[mackemforever]

Yep, bloody helpful lot Squirrel, Stretchie and (to a much lesser extent) BaP!

[_Stretchie_]

It's stripped, we got there, gave BaP a load of abuse throughout the time we were there as usual, gave new boy some grief too, after all, it's his bike.

Didn't really take many pictures, it was new years day, I think we had all done a little celebrating the evening earlier so the idea was to just strip the bike and have a giggle doing it. When we got there, the nose cone fairings and the front fairings had already been removed.

Evidence that the engine was actually in the bike in the first place
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/Stretchie_/Bikes/Makam%20Strip%20and%20Build/001Enginestillin.jpg


We basically left him with this, old frame on the left, replacement frame to the right with some bracketry swapped over to it and the engine next to that
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/Stretchie_/Bikes/Makam%20Strip%20and%20Build/002Twoframesandanengine.jpg


Lots of spares at the back of the garage
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/Stretchie_/Bikes/Makam%20Strip%20and%20Build/004Someleftoverbits.jpg


Now all we need to do is issue him with an invoice and refuse to continue until it is paid..


http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/Stretchie_/Bikes/Makam%20Strip%20and%20Build/TwoSpannersFirstInvoice.png

[BaP]

I'm never any use, at all. Fact.

[P-J]

LOL! Love it!

[gruntygiggles]

I'm never any use, at all. Fact.

Yes you are. Fact.

[_Stretchie_]

What you doing on Saturday PJ?

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

[_Stretchie_]

All done yesterday. We put the new main frame over the engine and fastened the engine in place then fit the swing arm and rear shock.
Then we put the abbe stand on it and picked the bike up to fit the front end back on so it was upright.

Got the rest done and back to how it was when we first got there. So all together except for the fairings. He's going to fit the fairing back on himself and do the brakes himself too.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

[gruntygiggles]

3 helpers - 2 days...

That's a lot of time/labour/money saved!

[P-J]

Soz Stretchie missed your message!

You guys done well getting that done in that time! That's what the org is all about I guess! ;)

Itching for a decent summer this year for some rideouts! :)

[mackemforever]

Just wanted to say thanks very much to Stretchie, Squirrel and BaP for the help.

Bike was assembled to the point where it would run yesterday, left it on charge overnight and it fired up first time this morning.

Other bits and pieces were done today and it is running exactly as it should. Now just need to find a way to pay my insurance and get it an MOT by friday!

[The Idle Biker]

Fair play guys, good work, proper biker spirit and all that. I like this story.