bent frame paranoia

jdcarrielies · Post by **jdcarrielies** » Nov 22nd, '07, 08:56

hello again, i've just started my first major project and its apparent that the bike at some stage has been dropped, now i'm paranoid that i'm doing a lot of work to a bike that may not, well, work. the damage seems to be slight but is there any way of checking the frame at home, i've already taken the engine out so taking it to a garage is somewhat impractical! thanks for any help you can offer, john[/i]

Banditmax · Post by **Banditmax** » Nov 22nd, '07, 19:21

Checking the alignment of the wheels is about the only way for most peope to check it at home. get a couple of long pieces of wood and lign them up from the rear wheel to the front. If with the forks straight and the back wheel lined up you get a different width gap on either side it might be bent and you need to get it checked properly.

Ace · Post by **Ace** » Nov 24th, '07, 13:25

If i was in your boat i would take some time to look very closely at the frame, if you know what side the bike went down on then check for un-natural kinks/bends, you will know an un-natural bend as the paint will be fractured and flakey, if you can, compare it to the other side.

It has to be a prety serious impact to bend the frame in all reality, it happens but it is rare in low speed accidents. There are so many parts of the bike that bend and break and absorb the major force of an impact.

jdcarrielies · Post by **jdcarrielies** » Nov 24th, '07, 13:40

Thanks guys, i wouldnt even know where to start