I've been framed.....or... how do I get my frame back together?

[redryder]

I have just successfully done the clutch spline lube on my 02 RT. At 70,000 miles I figured it was time. Turns out that the splines were in great shape and even though they were dry, I caught it in time to prevent any damage. Did have some damaged FD pivot bearings and the front swing arm bearings were loose enough that the swing arm moved a noticeable amount when removing the rear shock mounting bolt. Also, to my surprise, the FD pivot spindles (carriers, or whatever else you want to call them...the big bolts that go into the bearings) were worn. The fixed pivot was galled and the floating pivot had some shinny places where the bearing was rubbing it too. I suspect that damage was self induced by a 5500 mile trip in '06 while considerably overloaded. Won't be doing that again.

 

The real crust of this matter is this: I was putting the RT back together and things were sailing along pretty smoothly when the frame bolt holes quit lining up with the frame. Now I know that I should have let the rear subframe pivot on the upper front hole, the one with the long stud that passes through the frame. As I said, I know that NOW! Unfortunately, I took that stud out and let the bike's frame pivot on the very front, somewhat recessed bolts. Incredibly enough, I'm able to get the front frame support braces to line up pretty well, but not the rear frame holes. I have installed the bolts in the rear of the subframe where it attaches to the rear of the transmission and that was hard enough on it own.

 

So, at this point, I'm out of airspeed and ideas. Rest assured that at 140K when Artie gets his next colonoscopy, I'll know which bolt to let him sit and spin on. In the meantime?????

[T__]

I have just successfully done the clutch spline lube on my 02 RT. At 70,000 miles I figured it was time. Turns out that the splines were in great shape and even though they were dry, I caught it in time to prevent any damage. Did have some damaged FD pivot bearings and the front swing arm bearings were loose enough that the swing arm moved a noticeable amount when removing the rear shock mounting bolt. Also, to my surprise, the FD pivot spindles (carriers, or whatever else you want to call them...the big bolts that go into the bearings) were worn. The fixed pivot was galled and the floating pivot had some shinny places where the bearing was rubbing it too. I suspect that damage was self induced by a 5500 mile trip in '06 while considerably overloaded. Won't be doing that again.

 

The real crust of this matter is this: I was putting the RT back together and things were sailing along pretty smoothly when the frame bolt holes quit lining up with the frame. Now I know that I should have let the rear subframe pivot on the upper front hole, the one with the long stud that passes through the frame. As I said, I know that NOW! Unfortunately, I took that stud out and let the bike's frame pivot on the very front, somewhat recessed bolts. Incredibly enough, I'm able to get the front frame support braces to line up pretty well, but not the rear frame holes. I have installed the bolts in the rear of the subframe where it attaches to the rear of the transmission and that was hard enough on it own.

 

So, at this point, I'm out of airspeed and ideas. Rest assured that at 140K when Artie gets his next colonoscopy, I'll know which bolt to let him sit and spin on. In the meantime?????

 

Greg, loosen ALL the bolts back up & see if it will allow alignment then.. If not you might have bent the rear sub frame -or it was never correct to begin with..

 

You might have to use a tapered drift pin or small Achilles heel to force the bolt holes to line up.. Maybe even use some ratchet straps to pull the frame into alignment so the bolts will go in..

 

Difficult to guide you without seeing what you have there but just be persistent & it will probably go back together..

 

BTW, how do you know you “caught it just in time to prevent spline damage”? Maybe it went that long because it didn’t have any lube on it.. When was the last time you pulled your car apart to lube the clutch splines?..

 

Twisty

[Ken H.]

Although you took it apart pivoting on the wrong spot (as you now know) putting it back together using the correct pivot point is the best bet.

 

Remove the bolts you left in. I.e. - the lower set. Basically the rear sub-frame will now be totally loose. Then put in the upper rod/pin, with the sub-frame 'tail' up in the air some. Then tilt the frame down so you can get the lower bolts back in.