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Visionary
Posts: 1290 Ruskin, Fl | Well apparently the front tip-overs are meant to take a hit on the bottom only. The lower frame that the tip-over bolts to has very little strength if there is any force applied to the front. I little slide in some wet grass was proof. Not a scratch on the bike but the frame bent about 3/4 of an inch rearward and pulled the lower fairing out of whack. I understand bending back into place might weaken it, but I believe it would be minimal.
I have the luxury of access for hydraulic rescue tools. It didn't take much with an 11,000 psi ram to make things right. You can't see it in the photo, but there is a 4x4 under the rear wheel bolted to the floor to keep from backing the truck in too far.
Edited by cw1115 2009-07-16 9:46 AM
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Attachments ---------------- photo.jpg (55KB - 1 downloads) photo1.jpg (58KB - 2 downloads)
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Visionary
Posts: 8144 New Bohemia, VA | thanks for sharing cw. Think about it for a moment of how incredible this machine is. I don't think there is any concerns in doing something like this as that is not a support structure on this bike. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725 Reno County, KS | I know this from experience. I replaced mine because of a side swipe in a parking lot. It really didn't cost that much (about $100 for lower front frame assembly). I replaced all my parts with new so the bike would be good as new (in my mind). It's a pain in the ass getting it and the battery box to line back up. Be SURE and check your outer leg fairing for cracks. Had to replace mine on the left side because the tipover was tweaked and cracked the leg fairing with it. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600 Linwood, MI | So, you get everything back together yet? That t-o-p has to be pretty much in the exact right spot or the leg fairing won't fit back on worth a darn. Very little flex in that fairing. I had mine on and off about 20 times before I finally got it tweaked correctly. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290 Ruskin, Fl | It took me two attemps. First time I didn't pull the tipover out far enough. I still had a gap at the top. I took the tipover off the fairing and bolted on the frame the second time. That way I was able to match the gap between it and the floorboard with the left side. It went together perfect. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1340 Gainesville Fl Home of the Gators | Remember that the tip over is structural steel, and is now much more likely to bend again since the metal has been streatched |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290 Ruskin, Fl | Thanks Kevin. It was a minimal amount or I would have replaced the lower frame. To the naked eye it didn't look damaged, except for the fact thinks were out of alignment. No doubt it's not as strong. More incentive to stop doing stupid stuff.
Edited by cw1115 2009-07-16 4:00 PM
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