Topic: Small frame dents

[Split7]

Hey everyone, I am new here on the Sohc forums and am doing my first restore on a K7. I got it about 5 months ago and have been chipping away on it. It was basically a barn find that I got for $300. Didn't run, and in really rough shape, but figured hey, I like a challenge!

I am now getting ready to take the frame in for sandblasting and painting. I was looking over it and noticed some small dents I had never seen. The first two are on the down tube just under the neck brace (?) kind of looks like the tube is pinched a little. The second is on the down tube just under the seat on the left side. It's long and flattened a little on the inside. (How that happened is beyond me.) I did have to replace the swingarm because it was slightly bent and hard to get the wheel on. Also it was tracking slightly off. The frame looks straight to my eye, and once I got the new swing arm, all seems good.

Does anyone know, are these dents something I should be concerned with?

[celebutante]

I'm not an expert, but if your CB is like mine, it had a sidecar mounted to it at some point. I couldn't figure out the same thing on mine (my mechanic clued me in). Before he figured it out, we also couldn't figure out why my steering head bearings were shot when the bike only had 11,000 miles. Same thing. Good luck!

[seanbarney41]

that's a possibility I had not thought of....the dents on the front are likely from either a Vetter or other fairing, engine guards, or some sort of highway pegs...Those in the back are actually stock, for clearance.  I was surprised by these too because you don't really see them until the frame is stripped.

[Split7]

Thanks guys! Both those ideas make total sence. The "ping" dents seem to be minimal. If there was some crash bars they could have done that from being over tightened. There is some on the other side too, only less obvious. And a sidecar could have squished the down tube under the seat. I feel better now moving forward with stripping and paint. So stoked to get it going, have a nice freshly build motor waiting for a home!

[Lostboy Steve]

Well, theres always Belzona (ballsonya). http://www.belzona.com/en/products/1000/1111.aspx I've never used it but I hear it is like JB weld on steroids. It is "Machine-able" which to me says it wont chip.

[Split7]

Crash bars would be my bet.

If the metal "pings" when flicked, then you have no structural concerns around the weld above the joints. If you're the least bit concerned, have the welded shoulder TIG welded for extra measure. If you're painting the frame, add some filler in those areas and paint over them to remove the imperfections.

But I think you're among many with small dents in their frames that live normal, healthy lives 

I finally realized what you meant by ping in the metal. So I tried it and seems like it pings. Sounds pretty consistent with other parts of the frame.

[Split7]

Well, theres always Belzona (ballsonya). http://www.belzona.com/en/products/1000/1111.aspx I've never used it but I hear it is like JB weld on steroids. It is "Machine-able" which to me says it wont chip.

That's stuff looks pretty serious. Might be worth a try.