Frame cracked

[abraxas]

FZ1inNH thanks for your input.

Look, the frame cracked initially, before any welding. Problem is, it doesn't matter who welds it, the aluminium gets brittle after welding.

Trust me, this welder is good. They specialise in aircraft welding. I'm NOT trusting this to a biker mechy. My old man is an old welder and mechy, who gave his approval to the job (same time admitting he couldn't have done that).

The point is: it cracked from falling over. And no weld is atually going to be structurally worth a damn. R8000 for a new frame is not an option.

The plastics matter little, *shrug* problem for another day.

 

[abraxas]

So a new frame will be R 10500 something PLUS 14% VAT.

Welding isn't working, options now are steel re-inforcing the frame. Bulky, unsightly, etc. The problem is, this alloy apparently doesn't like welding. Which seems viable, they used a very specific allow that was rigid in certain places for specific stress. To the designers, welding was not a factor to be accounted for.

Falling over was never accounted for either, apparently. (anyone ese's fallen over? (without frame sliders))

The other option,. slightly cheaper, is creating a new frame, out of stainless steel. Not much cheaper i may add, and would take about 3 months apparently.

Rebuild completely as a streetfighter, new frame etc.

The problem is: i'm almost finished paying bike off. Financially, i'd be better off having an accident.
Small smash, plastics etc would cover the costs of rebuilding.

2nd hand frame not an option, even if i could track one down.

 

[tomari]

why dont you "have" an accident ? you know....with a friend or something.....Oops! frame broken too....too bad!!! thats why insurances are....

 

[abraxas]

The fazer lives!!!!

Stripped her and sent her off, i'll post pics when i can. Basically welded a machined block into the inside of the frame, using the supporting "beams" ... so the weak point has been double re-inforced.

Re-assembling is going a lot better than i'd expected. getting the engine back into the frame was the most chalenging part, but with 2 pulleys on an overhead beam i was able to lift and swing both the front and rear of the frame easily. All the connections coming together right and i'm double checking everything as i'm goi, bolts and moving bits all greased, cables cleared and lubed.

It's been stupid cold outside, so evenings aren't really open to working outside, although it's warmed a little, and the worst is past. I still have a few concerns, putting speedo cables back on is a BUGGER.

Typically, i went over the other day exiting a garage, so the plastics on the left got crunched not too badly, i also have to see if they're repairable. If not, naked is gonna come soon.

Hard work, bu i'm taking it slow, and doing it right, and making fair progress doing so. 1 more day decent labout she'll be running again

 

[lrojasma]

Several, several reports of the sister FZ1 having frame cracking. (search the FZ1 site) Yours is the first FZ6 frame cracking report I've heard of. Do you do wheelies? I wonder if your bike was "normal usage." Certainly is disconcerting if not.... Maybe this is why Yamaha dumped the frame on the new FZ6R?

its not, it Yamaha and its new policy of making more money lowering costs.

This is the best frrame they ever built, is the same basic frame used on the Yamaha MT09 with some modifications on the back, but the frame neck is the same

 

[Motogiro]

its not, it Yamaha and its new policy of making more money lowering costs.

This is the best frrame they ever built, is the same basic frame used on the Yamaha MT09 with some modifications on the back, but the frame neck is the same

More than just lowering costs, lowing weight is a concern in being competitive in the market.
An important consideration is the engine is part of an engineered stress member of the entire assembly. This means that torque specifications should be adhered to as part of maintenance of frame to engine hardware. Especially if the bike is going to be performing enhanced acrobatic moves.