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08-11-2001, 08:56pm
It seems that quite a few of you have had problems with rear subframes breaking. Well, unfortunately, this has occurred to my bike. I am still in the process of following up a warranty claim, although apparently a great deal of information is necessary to approve replacement. For example, pillion weight, attached racks, style of riding and so on. This does not sound too encouraging.
Regardless, it was necessary for me to get my frame repaired. A friend suggested that I should have broken the steering head first due to my earlier appalling attempts at wheelies. Nasty SIC 13 !!!
Back to the subframe. I pillion quite a bit with a wayward woman who has less fear than me. We aren't exactly slow, so this might have caused premature breakage. Hurtling around a bend on the Old Pacific Hwy we heard a massive metallic bang, followed by a bit of mush at the rear.
Fortunately, the bottom lugs are mainly taking compression loads, so they, as well as the two pipes, held the plot together. Would not have been nice had a lightweight 4 into 1 been fitted. Apparently, all castings on the bike are good except for those on the subframe, which are porous and brittle. The frame sides form a VERY SHALLOW triangle. Enormous tension is exerted on the TOP LUGS. Continued flexing, strain and the like results in an almighty BANG!!!!!!!! I do not think that this is acceptable in view of its possible consequences to rider, pillion and other road user safety. Mine snapped at around 20000 kms. That is still a young frame in my view.
The TOP LUGS only had sheered above the battery, between the bolt holes and the alloy tubing. To get to the point, a guy who seems to be a master at metal fabrication made a jig, DIAGONALLY cut the upper tubes in line with the main frame lugs, crafted left and right TOP alloy plates about 4 inches long, also tapered, then welded them to the now tapered tubes. Immensely strong and looks better than original. Mounting holes were drilled and tapped and the whole lot fit perfectly. A trip to Phillip Island with half a ton of stuff, including a rather svelte pillion (a total horn bag......cool !!) failed to snap the thing again. I don't mean to be smartor Eddie the Expert, but two up wheelies......2nd gear to 175....... are now far more confidence inspiring. As yet their is no indication of fracture. Unfortunately, with the original castings you will never see deterioration. They are in one piece one moment, and snapped in half the next.
So if any of you need such a repair because ya having problems with original replacement let me know.
Of note....during the warranty claim I was told that the busa is not a touring bike, and should not have racks fitted since suzuki have yet to approve ventura and gearsack rack fitment. So why does it have a pillion seat, pegs and the like? Beats me ! Has anyone been similarly advised?
Anyway, the Busa was a doddle to pull apart and reassemble. Had an M model GSXR 1100 which, while I miss her greatly, was a total pig to pull to bits.
I need to stop raving. Thanks for reading and any comments you may have. See ya............ <i></i>
Regardless, it was necessary for me to get my frame repaired. A friend suggested that I should have broken the steering head first due to my earlier appalling attempts at wheelies. Nasty SIC 13 !!!
Back to the subframe. I pillion quite a bit with a wayward woman who has less fear than me. We aren't exactly slow, so this might have caused premature breakage. Hurtling around a bend on the Old Pacific Hwy we heard a massive metallic bang, followed by a bit of mush at the rear.
Fortunately, the bottom lugs are mainly taking compression loads, so they, as well as the two pipes, held the plot together. Would not have been nice had a lightweight 4 into 1 been fitted. Apparently, all castings on the bike are good except for those on the subframe, which are porous and brittle. The frame sides form a VERY SHALLOW triangle. Enormous tension is exerted on the TOP LUGS. Continued flexing, strain and the like results in an almighty BANG!!!!!!!! I do not think that this is acceptable in view of its possible consequences to rider, pillion and other road user safety. Mine snapped at around 20000 kms. That is still a young frame in my view.
The TOP LUGS only had sheered above the battery, between the bolt holes and the alloy tubing. To get to the point, a guy who seems to be a master at metal fabrication made a jig, DIAGONALLY cut the upper tubes in line with the main frame lugs, crafted left and right TOP alloy plates about 4 inches long, also tapered, then welded them to the now tapered tubes. Immensely strong and looks better than original. Mounting holes were drilled and tapped and the whole lot fit perfectly. A trip to Phillip Island with half a ton of stuff, including a rather svelte pillion (a total horn bag......cool !!) failed to snap the thing again. I don't mean to be smartor Eddie the Expert, but two up wheelies......2nd gear to 175....... are now far more confidence inspiring. As yet their is no indication of fracture. Unfortunately, with the original castings you will never see deterioration. They are in one piece one moment, and snapped in half the next.
So if any of you need such a repair because ya having problems with original replacement let me know.
Of note....during the warranty claim I was told that the busa is not a touring bike, and should not have racks fitted since suzuki have yet to approve ventura and gearsack rack fitment. So why does it have a pillion seat, pegs and the like? Beats me ! Has anyone been similarly advised?
Anyway, the Busa was a doddle to pull apart and reassemble. Had an M model GSXR 1100 which, while I miss her greatly, was a total pig to pull to bits.
I need to stop raving. Thanks for reading and any comments you may have. See ya............ <i></i>