| Author | Message | ||
     Bugman |
Yep. I crashed my Lightning on the primary side two months ago. I am recovering, but the bike has a substantial 4" dia. x .5" deep dent. Primary cover and gear shifter were trashed but those parts are easy to replace. Has anybody here tried to repair damage like this or is replacing the frame the only real option? Looking for a cheap fix to sell the bike in the spring time. | ||
| Wardog3187 |
It can be done as I have already "been there and done that" with my XB. | ||
| Bugman |
Good. Now I have a winter project. | ||
| Slaughter |
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Stick the bondo patch over it but you HAVE to disclose it to somebody you would sell it to. If I found a bondo patch and didn't get a replacement as a buyer, I'd be ticked off. Me? I'd just polish out the scratches (better for it structurally if they're smoothed) and paint it with the rattle can you can get at the parts counter and go riding and maybe start shopping ebay for a new frame. (Message edited by slaughter on November 17, 2006) | ||
| Asdf |
After you polish out the scratches and paint it with a rattle can, put two or three "Bullet Hole" Decals in the dented area. A "Band Aid" or one of the stickers that are given out in the ER or by Pediatricians is always a nice touch, too. Stickers and decals will make the bike faster and will greatly enhance the resale value of the bike. Be creative & have fun! | ||
| Diablobrian |
There are a lot of race bikes out there that have bondo patches on their frames. It is really surprising how tough these bikes are in a crash. With a set of spare "tip-over" parts and a little safety wire and duct tape you can almost always get your Buell back out on the race track. Even after some very nasty spills I've seen Buells pass inspection by GMD as within tolerance - meaning as straight as any factory bike can be expected to be. I know that's hard to believe in an age where a hard low side will put many sport bikes on the trailer, (some with holes in their fuel tank like the current R6) but its been proven time and again at the track. The XBs are TOUGH bikes. | ||
| Etennuly |
As a professional in that field, I can attest to the fact that this type of repair can be the only correct way to do it. If the side dent is the only damage, there is no structural damage, then it is a proper and long lasting way to do it. These fuel tanks have a lining material that would be ruined if you tried to push it out from the inside. Aluminum pull pins could be welded on and pull it out to straight, but the same issue comes up. If it is a shallow non-creased dent, suction cup pulling may work with a little gentle edge hammering, that can also be done with air pressure inside the tank, with a lot of special fittings and prep work. A bondorepair on that can be professionally done and refinished with no ill affects. If done correctly it would only possibly reappear if it were wrecked again in the same spot. | ||
| Slaughter |
This is how I'm racing mine (there's a dent on the other side almost as big)  |
