I'm looking for a no-weld method because of cost and not wanting to pull the motor to weld it. I had my top-end done and now have an indication of a head leak. As I understand it, any re-build requires a re-torque of the head after 500 miles. Pulling the engine, again, is almost too much to ask. IF, in the day, guys cut them out and left it that way, you would think a reasonable "fix" could solve it unless you race or are big on wheelies. Terry suggested sliders that were of a larger id and split to close the joints. What if the sliders are also a thicker, stronger material. Wouldn't that do the job. KrautKoffin pointed out that there wasn't much interest to build anything because money would not cover parts and labor. I, for one, would be willing to pay a reasonable price for someone like Frank, or ....., to design and manufacture sliders and plates to do the job. They know what they're doing. I don't.
I'd be willing to pay 50 to $75, or whatever, plus freight, for 4 sliders and 2 plates. No reason anyone making something shouldn't make an adequate profit.
Hi Ed:
The Gordon Kit was selling for $250 IIRC, plus labor. The Carpy Kit is probably closer to what you're looking for.
http://www.cb750cafe.com/products-page/frame-adapter-kit/Make no mistake, I fully agree, stronger is better in all respect. But...
I probably have the most mileage experience running a kit of any design. Least wise no one else has piped up with more. I assure anyone who is concerned that strength is not an issue. If you ride harder and faster than I did in those days, well maybe, you'd notice.
If you get a chance to swing by, I'll show you how it works. Big Jay at APE sold thousands, maybe tens of thousands of the kit I have. He did not report any failures nor have I ever heard of a frame failure, with or without a kit. Your situ is a perfect example though. You can easily cut the tubes out, retork the head, and install the kit. To do a really neat job, you may have to remove some electrics, reposition the ignition key to the handlebar, remove the carbs, nuisance things like that to make room for the Sawzall.
I bot my K1 from Honda-Triumph of Indy. Have you been in Indy long enough to remember them? 46th and Keystone. Owned by Bill Romer, who never rode a motorcycle in his life. The mechanics got him on one of the Honda 3 wheel ATCs, new at the time and he promptly plowed into the back of his Cadillac. Good Times.
I worked there at the time as well. He didn't want to warranty my leaky head gasket, a big problem with new bikes back then. The mechanic took pity on me and for a 6 pack, pulled my engine, retorked it, reinstalled it, in drag strip type time. And I was fixed. Back in the day when two of us could lift an engine and toss it around.
