Cry for help in the Bristol area

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)?

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?

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

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.

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

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?