I bent my frame in the crash

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

This time it is my clutch lever, on the transmission.

I just hooked it up to my handlebar control, and the lower arm rubs against the frame rail at full compress!

I've never noticed it do that before, and I doubt it really should.

This is the original '79 transmission.


I checked the most obvious thing - all of the engine spacers are there!

TIA

[Bob_Roller]

I just checked my '81, and there is about 3/16th's inch gap between the arm and frame tube with the clutch lever pulled in all the way .

Possibility of the frame being 'tweaked' out of alignment a bit ?

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Possibility of the frame being 'tweaked' out of alignment a bit ?  

That is my big fear.

I double-checked the steering head plates.  They still look flat, even in the warm weather.
I suppose I will try Duane's string test, even though I don't understand what I am looking at.  And I have done it before, with him and a bunch of others around!  

[nhmaf]

Yikes, I didn't think that your collision was bad enough for tweaking the main frame - the rear subframes on these bikes are another story.
Are you sure you've got the proper ~ 201mm (I think, can't remember well today) adjustment distance from the boss on the right lower engine case to the clutch lever arm?

[Ed Miller]

I don't suppose the arm itself could be bent.  They look so fragile that I bet they would break first.  

If it was me I would be hopefully successfully resisting the urge to grab a big crowbar.  

[Barry]

Is there any tolerance in the gearbox to crankcase fixings that could allow the gearbox to rotate slightly ?  I'm trying to remember if the there are spigots to positively locate the gearbox or does it just rely on the 4 fixing bolts. Probably wouldn't account for 3/16" anyway but just a thought.

[nhmaf]

Sounds like a silly suggestion, but you didn't get the piston/cup that goes against the throwout bearing the wrong way-round, did you?  That would prevent the arm from going as far inward as it should.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Sounds like a silly suggestion, but you didn't get the piston/cup that goes against the throwout bearing the wrong way-round, did you?  That would prevent the arm from going as far inward as it should.

Sorry, no.  I don't think this is an issue on a '79 transmission.

And I have ridden the bike probably 15 miles today.  Once I adjusted the clutch, it is operating normally.

[Melena]

Whew!  At least you got a ride in today, however short.  Good for you.   Thank goodness the clutch is working normally.  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I came home with it hot and hooked it up to the ATF tubes and I got it to where it idles pretty well.
It sounds pretty hollow when I get on the gas, though.  It may just be intake noise, I don't know.  I do have one of the drilled clamshell air boxes.  And those larger intake valves and the nikasil cylinders are making so much more power than I was used to, before! ( )

[montmil]

Rob, I've got a few more years on you so I'd bet the mod airbox and freshened engine is providing you with the hotrod sounds. [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Back in the day, I'd borrow the old man's 327 Impala and immediately yank the air filter. Mat the pedal and the '65 SS would howl like a, well, a freshened R65.

stay outta bike crowds, pal.   Monte

[caci]

I don't suppose the arm itself could be bent.  They look so fragile that I bet they would break first.  

If it was me I would be hopefully successfully resisting the urge to grab a big crowbar.  

Whatever you do - be very careful with the clutch arm.  It's probably a strong forging, but the bosses on the rear trans cover are VERY fragile and will break with little provocation.

The PO had broken mine on the LS and repaired with JB Weld (fail).  I just pulled the arm in to reinstall the cable and twisted it a little and SNAP!7

Luckily, a welder was able to repair it, without removing the cover.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I have a REALLY bent frame!

On the left side, I can align the string along both side of the rear tire and bring it forward.

On the right side, I cannot get the string to contact the front half of the rear tire as it is already making contact with both ends of the right side of the front tire.

On the left side, at the front tire, the string is 1" away from the sidewall.
(The ideal is for both gaps from the front tire to be equal.)


Apparently this is a test one performs before spending hundreds of dollars fixing up a money pit.

I'm divorced for a reason, you know.

[Bob_Roller]

Any idea what your plan is going to be from here ?

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Continue with the tune-up, I guess.  I have everyone so riled up over the gathering of the clans, I suppose I should wait to part it out until after that.  But I want to start selling right away, as there is a cherry Kawasaki 250 Ninja up the road with only 500 miles on it for $2000.