Need help measuring for bent frame

Mypassengersshadow · July 17th, 2016, 10:21 AM

Anyone know where I might get frame dimensions? The bike was lowsided after going off of the shoulder of the highway at 45 mph in a left-hand turn. Thats what my cousin said after I let him drive it. I don't know what he did, but he folded the upper cowl stay, snapped the left rearset, broke the tail lamp along with every tab on the tailpiece. The next day I install spare bars, crudely measure alignment with string and inspected sprockets, chain, and tires. All good. So i did the responsible thing, I took it down the street. Feels ok. Nothing new or out of place. But, since i have a frame machine at the shop I want to make sure before ordering anything. Search was not my friend. And the Wiki is empty. Any help would be awesome.

csmith12 · July 25th, 2016, 11:32 AM

I would like to know this as well.

bruce71198 · July 26th, 2016, 06:06 AM

I don't know if this info is even published by the manufacturer.
Your best bet is to measure up a known good bike and take it from there.
Other than that string align the rear to front wheels, check for "witness marks" from where bolts may have shifted and the tell tail flaking paint in chassis stress areas. I've pitched many of these down the road in the past and have yet to bend a frame. Although I did buy one out of Georgia 2 years ago that the guy claimed "never could get it to handle". Found the tube that the upper rear shock mounted to was bent. How does that happen?

jkv45 · July 26th, 2016, 07:19 AM

Another thing you can do without having exact dimensions or a known good frame to refer to, is to "X-check". You measure from a point on the right front area to a point on the left rear area, then compare it to the same points on the left front to the right rear. That tells you if a section is out of square. You can also make measurements comparing the same points on both sides.

As Bruce noted, look for signs of stressed area. Chipping paint and bolts shifted from their usual locations.

If it goes down the road properly and doesn't do anything odd under braking, chances are it's fine.

Our beater 250 went down at 85 mph (previous owner got a ticket in the ambulance because he went down in a speed trap) and though beat-up a bit didn't have any major damage.

backinthesaddleagain · July 26th, 2016, 10:56 AM

Try computrack. I think they get measurements on as many bikes as possible.

tubarney · July 28th, 2016, 04:39 AM

cheapest way to do it with any sort of accuracy is to hire a ninja 250 for a day and plumb bob it.

Mypassengersshadow · August 1st, 2016, 04:51 PM

Sorry I haven't replied sooner. I started with the string test. Little to the right. then I squared the frame, the "x" check. Luckily for me, I have Tram gauges and a frame machine, along with a crude jig I made just for this bike. It was a Sunday and I had nothing else to do. Frame squared within standard deviation. I removed the swing arm and bolted the frame to the jig, removed triple trees and used my Parallel to measure rake and trail, realized triple trees are raked as well, and remeasured. I reinstalled the trees, forks, and wheel. Everything aligned. All I had to do was realign the forks in the fist place, but it was a fun adventure. Now my problem is wading through all the ebay parts. I found the front fairing cowl for 80 shipped, brand new. But seriously, how far would you go with the cheap ebay parts. Of course nothing involving controls, as it seems that's their target market. Triple trees, clip-ons, and rearsets?

July 17th, 2016, 10:21 AM	#1
Mypassengersshadow ninjette.org newbie Name: JT Location: Eastern North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2012 250R Posts: 3	Need help measuring for bent frame Anyone know where I might get frame dimensions? The bike was lowsided after going off of the shoulder of the highway at 45 mph in a left-hand turn. Thats what my cousin said after I let him drive it. I don't know what he did, but he folded the upper cowl stay, snapped the left rearset, broke the tail lamp along with every tab on the tailpiece. The next day I install spare bars, crudely measure alignment with string and inspected sprockets, chain, and tires. All good. So i did the responsible thing, I took it down the street. Feels ok. Nothing new or out of place. But, since i have a frame machine at the shop I want to make sure before ordering anything. Search was not my friend. And the Wiki is empty. Any help would be awesome.

July 25th, 2016, 11:32 AM	#2
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	I would like to know this as well. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

August 1st, 2016, 04:51 PM	#7
Mypassengersshadow ninjette.org newbie Name: JT Location: Eastern North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2012 250R Posts: 3	Appreciated advice. Sorry I haven't replied sooner. I started with the string test. Little to the right. then I squared the frame, the "x" check. Luckily for me, I have Tram gauges and a frame machine, along with a crude jig I made just for this bike. It was a Sunday and I had nothing else to do. Frame squared within standard deviation. I removed the swing arm and bolted the frame to the jig, removed triple trees and used my Parallel to measure rake and trail, realized triple trees are raked as well, and remeasured. I reinstalled the trees, forks, and wheel. Everything aligned. All I had to do was realign the forks in the fist place, but it was a fun adventure. Now my problem is wading through all the ebay parts. I found the front fairing cowl for 80 shipped, brand new. But seriously, how far would you go with the cheap ebay parts. Of course nothing involving controls, as it seems that's their target market. Triple trees, clip-ons, and rearsets?

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July 26th, 2016, 06:06 AM	#3
bruce71198 ninjette.org sage Name: bruce Location: northern illinois Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Race bikes:08 Ninja 250,11 R6,16 ZX6,SV650.3 HD-1947,2-2003,2010. 1946 Indian and a lot of dirt bikes.2 Posts: 999	I don't know if this info is even published by the manufacturer. Your best bet is to measure up a known good bike and take it from there. Other than that string align the rear to front wheels, check for "witness marks" from where bolts may have shifted and the tell tail flaking paint in chassis stress areas. I've pitched many of these down the road in the past and have yet to bend a frame. Although I did buy one out of Georgia 2 years ago that the guy claimed "never could get it to handle". Found the tube that the upper rear shock mounted to was bent. How does that happen?

July 26th, 2016, 07:19 AM	#4
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	Another thing you can do without having exact dimensions or a known good frame to refer to, is to "X-check". You measure from a point on the right front area to a point on the left rear area, then compare it to the same points on the left front to the right rear. That tells you if a section is out of square. You can also make measurements comparing the same points on both sides. As Bruce noted, look for signs of stressed area. Chipping paint and bolts shifted from their usual locations. If it goes down the road properly and doesn't do anything odd under braking, chances are it's fine. Our beater 250 went down at 85 mph (previous owner got a ticket in the ambulance because he went down in a speed trap) and though beat-up a bit didn't have any major damage.

July 26th, 2016, 10:56 AM	#5
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	Try computrack. I think they get measurements on as many bikes as possible.

July 28th, 2016, 04:39 AM	#6
tubarney ninjette.org sage Name: Brad Location: Sydney Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r 2010 SE Posts: 573	cheapest way to do it with any sort of accuracy is to hire a ninja 250 for a day and plumb bob it.