Topic: Weldless Frame Kit

[stoutgoose]

Can anyone using the weldless frame kit offer feedback? I'm happy it can be reversed to take the bike back to original, but does it reduce frame rigidity at all? Any other issues?

Cheers.

[PeWe]

My CB750K6 is more stable than ever despite Franks weldless Frame kit.
I have owned the bike since early 1979 and rode it a lot in the 80's.
Back on road 2014 with frame kit just installed.
Around 20.000km done with the kit.

[Stev-o]

I'm happy it can be reversed to take the bike back to original

Unsure why you think that? You realize you will have to cut the frame, right?!
I have one on my K3 and you'd never know it unless you remove the fuel tank.
[the bike came to me with a cut frame]

[stoutgoose]

Yes, I realise the frame needs to be cut, however reversing the procedure by welding the narrow cuts is not beyond the capabilities of a competent welder should I ever wish to do so. The welds can be ground and made fairly invisible. I’m just thinking about originality.

So, do you like the kit?

I'm happy it can be reversed to take the bike back to original

Unsure why you think that? You realize you will have to cut the frame, right?!
I have one on my K3 and you'd never know it unless you remove the fuel tank.
[the bike came to me with a cut frame]

[Stev-o]

Yes, I realise the frame needs to be cut, however reversing the procedure by welding the narrow cuts is not beyond the capabilities of a competent welder should I ever wish to do so. The welds can be ground and made fairly invisible. I’m just thinking about originality.

So, do you like the kit?

Yes. I like the kit.  Scottly is making them now, both he and Frank are talented machinists.

Like I mentioned, my K3 came to me with the frame cut [and a shadetree frame kit] so this was the perfect solution for me.

[stoutgoose]

Many thanks.

[Bailgang]

I have one of Frank's frame kits on my 77 F2 and I love it. I used a compact tubing cutter to cut the tubes and what gap there is where it was cut is so minimal that if I don't have that frame section positioned just right, it won't go back in so yes, it can be easily welded back in place if originality ever becomes an issue.

[754]

 It is relatively easy to reverse it..
 Try that on a welded in kit.. that would be a job..

[PeWe]

This is very useful on a bike you really use. Easy to access the engine, lift valve cover, head and more. I have really used it on my K6.
Exactly 2 years ago I made road tests with 3 different cams within a week. I think 4-5 days.

My K2 frame was cut when I bought it (frame only). Franks kit on that one too.
I'll soon have use for it on the K2 when changing cyl block. New bore with Cruzinimage 392 pistons +0.5mm cranking up compression a little for a modest Kenny Harmon D cam with more overlap decreasing the compression, stock head and springs.

A stock bike museum quality, no cut.

[scottly]

A stock bike museum quality, no cut.

It's a freaking Phil Read replica!!!!!

[PeWe]

A stock bike museum quality, no cut.

It's a freaking Phil Read replica!!!!!

Racing bike?
If yes, it should have frame cut since earlier, right?

[scottly]

Not an actual race bike, a very limited edition replica. Colin Seeley was involved with them.

[scottly]

This is the bike in question; they are much more rare than sand-casts, and the decision has been made to not cut the frame.
 

[754]

Ok , sure if its possible.  But let's look at it.
 First cut off the welded bits, thats 8 welds and plugs to cut thru , and remove slugs.
 Then get some tubing.
 Then fit 4 pieces of tubing acurately.
 Then weld 8 times around the  tubing while trying to keep everything straight.
 Then clean up  8 welds on the tubing
 Then weld the triangle hopefully it lines up.clean up welds
 Then stand back and look ... does it look original ? Are all the tubes straight  ?  No sections out of line ? Good job
 If they are not straight, well you have restored  function,  but it doesn't look right.
 Or.....
 You weld 4 times around the tubing, you won't have to work hard to keep it straight.
Then clean up 4 welds.
 You weld the triangle, it all lines up , easy. Clean up the welds
 Clean up the welds, everything looks darn straight,  looks like it did before.

 One cost a third as much as the other or less.. your choice.
 One has a a far higher chance of coming out straight, and not being able to tell it was done,  your choice.
 Summary. ... one costs a lot more to install  than the other, and same thing reversing it.

[754]

Well it wouldn't be restored without the triangle. Are you thinking the triangle brace should  be left out.
 And yes if no triangle then you are correct.
 But they were talking back to original.

[754]

 I did make a few of the weld in Kits, when no one wanted to, and the original maker then pulled the rug out from under me.,
I always had a problem with the weld in, myself I would have trouble cutting into a 69 to 71 frame for the weld in kit.
 But more than that I have a problem with adding 3 to 3.5 pounds to a frame, on what generally is to be a hi performance bike..
 Another fact is the weld in kits many of them  had a design flaw that did not help the process...

[754]

 The Gordon Kits I  made to print , weighed over 4 lbs  in the box ready to ship .
 The wordless weighs  just under 500 g ready to ship..around a pound and 1 oz.