Frame damage

[Jay K.]

Has anyone had this happen?
The two tabs on the aluminum mainframe, of my ‘05 BCR, where the upper subframe struts connect broke. Right at the welds.
Wondering about best fixes.
Re-welding? Fabricate new brackets and mecahanically fasten to main frame?
Thanks - J.

[N41EF]

My gut check would be to find a salvage bike that someone is parting out and change the frame. Aluminum can be welded but If you are going to ride other than to the mall and back I don't know that would be my choice.

[brentw1]

yes fairly common lots of info here if you do a search,
best either replace the frame from a breaker or have it welded,
I have seen 2 welded ones and they work fine,
I assume you mean rear sub frame?

[Highlander179]

I tried to get mine rewelded, lasted about 6mos. and broke again. its a tough spot because its really weak to begin with AND they cant really go to hot with it. To do it again, I would get a new frame.

[BadToTheBown]

Originally Posted by brentw1

yes fairly common lots of info here if you do a search,
best either replace the frame from a breaker or have it welded,
I have seen 2 welded ones and they work fine...

+1 My welded frames held up better than the original (beefed up welds), recommend you shim any gaps before putting the studs/bolts back in to avoid preloading the bracket...

[Chris Canning]

Contentious issue!! Here in the UK you break those brackets and the insurance view that as an insurance write off only rectified with a new frame.

Some years ago Gus off this board and myself bought a bike that had damaged brackets but the guy who owned didn’t care as it was his track day bike and he had taken it to an independent BM service guy who had made two top brackets and attached them too the frame the job was so good had us wondering why BM didn’t do that in the first place.

[Jay K.]

Originally Posted by Chris Canning

Some years ago Gus off this board and myself bought a bike that had damaged brackets but the guy who owned didn’t care as it was his track day bike and he had taken it to an independent BM service guy who had made two top brackets and attached them too the frame the job was so good had us wondering why BM didn’t do that in the first place.

I'd love to know more about this fix...are there pictures of the brackets?
Even if it's not a track bike...it's hidden from view so, as long as the geometry is preserved, who cares? My bike has 56,000 miles and gets ridden, a lot...it's not a concours queen.

[Chris Canning]

Sorry I do not have any,here is a photo of the said bike and if you google Andrew Sexton BMW he's the man to contact the bike was eventually broken for spares and I believe the frame with brackets is in Ireland.