Hodakabuse? I've been framed, I tell you. Framed!

[matt glascock]

So here's a M94 that used to be a screamer until the motor grenaded. It had 7 1/2 motos on it racing open class MX on an SX track with VMX lines (avoiding all the "do-or-die" stuff). Still, on the tabletops, the faces are modern SX sharp so 5-6' of air is typical. Progressive rear shocks and braced stock front end. Stripping the bike, I noticed a significant crack developing along the right gusset/up-tube interface and attachment to the rear loop portion of the frame. By the supersensitive method of tapping the frame with a screw driver, there are no funky-sounding dull spots. I have two questions:

1) As a loop frame, where would be the most likely place to expect sympathetic stress/damage. Nothing seen on gross inspection but the bike is not completely stripped yet.

2) Where are the most important points on the frame to reinforce/gusset/brace/reweld. This bike will be raced again. Hard.

Thanks guys!

[Bullfrog]

Steering head area and gussets (see Service Bulletin or Hot Tip)

Look closely where backbone tube joins front of seat loop. (this one is definitely a distant 2nd to the steering head area)

Ed

[matt glascock]

Thank you, Captain. The steering head area is going to be a bit tricky. Its not a stranger to a pretty good welder - on a couple occasions. Maybe time to grind down for an inspection/re-do.