Topic: How to bend frame?? Help Pleaaseee

[SOHCiro]

Hello guys,

I've had a crash on the hills yesterday. Both my bike and I survived, and made it back home.
However, the frame is bent. The rear section is bent to the right, with the possibility of swing-arm also bent. The rear axle isn't straight.
Most of the impact was absorbed by the rear left shock area. As you can see from the photos, the rear top tubes are not level, the upper shock mount is bent inward, the spring is touching the shock.
I wanted to hear from you guys if anyone tried bending back a frame before. I have just enough tools to rebuild the bike and the motor, but no idea how to deal with the frame. Any advise will be much appreciated, thanks!

[SOHCiro]

I couldn't make a right hand side corner, slammed the rear side into an oncoming car.
Fortunately, the bike and I both had minimal injury.
Bent bar, broken headlight, detached intake manifold, cracked engine cover, stuck rear master cylinder, bent frame. Most were repaired on the spot and I made it back home, Thanks to my amazing friends riding with me. Luckily, the chain alignment was pretty much spot on.
As for the upper shock mount, I have a welder friend who may be able to make a new mount, and new pair of progressive shocks are on their way.
The left side cover has not a single scratch on it, so I'm assuming the rear triangle and the shocks took all the impact.

[754]

Swingarm is easy to straighten.
 I would take swingarm off, use tye pivot to setvtge bike up level.
Tie it down good, then bend shock area  area back.
 Then work on swingarm.  Measure pull one side then the other, check against swingarm pivot.

[eigenvector]

I'd be worried about welds cracking, otherwise it's just tubing so unless they're kinked I'd go with Frank's advice.

[754]

 Even if the weld cracked or tore, just reweld them. Its mild steel and not heat treated . if it does let go should be beside the weld.
On the back frame parts, if need be slit m pull, then weld it up.

[SOHCiro]

Cool, I'll remove the swing-arm and the seat, start measuring things! Thanks for the tips!!

Another question, if you don't mind. I've read that the 550 swing-arms are longer and are direct bolt on for the 750.
Mine is a F model and has a disc brake set up on it, so will they still fit, or are there any particular year model for the 550 that I'd need?
I figured I should just replace the swing-arm since it's most likely bent, and a decent used one is only probably gonna cost me $50, which is worth, considering the time and effort that needs to be spent to bend one back and powder-coat it.
I also have a 14" progressive shocks on their way, so I assume a longer swing arm will compensate for the increased angle if you know what I mean...

[Terry in Australia]

Fark, I don't think I've seen a frame that bent after a crash that the rider walked away from, well done! I big piece of pipe will help you straighten out that frame, get a length of pipe at least 3 feet ling that will go over the frame tube, and slide it up to the start of the bend, and give it a tweaking. Even if you have to weld it to the bent tube, tweak it, then chop it off again, it'll work.

The 500/550 were all drum rear brake bikes, so you'll need to either convert it to drum brakes (easy enough) or get a lug welded to the top of the swingarm for your brake caliper stay. Good luck!

[blacksmith1]

if all else fails grab a straight second hand frame,not that dear

[SOHCiro]

Well, hats off to 70's japanese over-engineering though. The mini-coupe I hit had a pretty severe damage in the front axle as well as the bumper, like I couldn't believe it. 500+ pounder indeed saved my life and took all the damage for me... I've gotta resurrect her!!!
My line was awful and as soon as I spotted the car I blanked out and looked at the car instead of the road. It was purely a rider error and I have a lot to learn. It could have been avoided if I were a better rider.
I'm ashamed of it but it taught me a good lesson. I'm just glad I came out alive and nobody was hurt!
GoPro footage

[SOHCiro]

Blacksmith1 -- I actually thought of that and am looking for a used frame right now But it's just that I'm kinda hesitant to go through all the paper work and also getting the engine out of the frame... I'll keep looking for a good deal though!

[RAFster122s]

Post a ad in the wanted section...
I have a powdercoated 550f rear swing arm, axle,spacer with new roller needle bearings installed. Bearings alone are over $105.
Asking $100 and shipping.

[ekpent]

 YIKES- That could have turned out much worse and glad your here to tell and show the tale.

[754]

First off 75 and 76 F frames are a bit hard to find.
 Second, nothing to lose by tweaking yours back into shape.

 If you have a buddy that does collision work in a body shop, and can get it in on a weekend, that would be huge help. First they have floor pots..anchors to tie bike down, second pulling equipment that may be height adjustable.
Crazy to watch when they are pulling truck feames and such.

[jgger]

Looks like Ortega Hwy, Orange County side.

The key here is to remember that where you are looking is where you will go, observe the obsticle then focus away.

Glad it was a walk away for you............be careful!

[754]

 Just t watched the video, I freaking hate it when that happens..

[SOHCiro]

The road is Page Mill off of Hwy 9 in Northern California.
I took off the seat and the tank to see how bad it is, the seat rails are bent to the right and the swing arm is twisted.
I'll start talking to body shops and see what I can do to bring her back on the road.
I'm not rushing to get her back on the road, I need to take my time to learn from the lesson and recover mentally as well.
Thank you everyone for the warm messages!! Ride safe

[dave500]

very lucky could easy have smashed your leg,bikes you can replace easy with dollars not so much your body.

[SOHCiro]

Dave ---
Agreed. Got super f**king lucky. I still imagine the possibility of losing a leg, getting thrown over the cliff, and much worse...

[blacksmith1]

yes mate,can always rebuild steel and alloy,not so fast with the body,take care