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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Improving the Frame
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Message started by LesGolden on 03/30/07 at 05:17:18

Title: Improving the Frame
Post by LesGolden on 03/30/07 at 05:17:18

Has anyone here tried stiffening the stock frame? I'm trying to figure out where i could put bracing to eliminate some flex, but not block the motor off completely... I'm pretty comfortable with a welder but i'm clueless on the R&D. Any experience out there?

Title: Re: Improving the Frame
Post by Savage_Rob on 03/30/07 at 07:01:49

The first thing to come to mind there is a fork brace. I have a Superbrace (http://www.superbrace.com) on my '98 and I love it.

Title: Re: Improving the Frame
Post by vroom1776 on 03/30/07 at 07:31:31

I've always hated teh crappy bracket that the seat and tank bolt onto. I've been thinking about cutting it out and welding in a 1/4" think, 1", 1.5" wide piece of steel and drilling and tapping holes.

Would this stiffen the frame at all? I have no idea. Probably not as it is already near the backbone.

Title: Re: Improving the Frame
Post by justin_o_guy on 03/30/07 at 22:28:20

If it was flexing at that bracket, the busted paint would tell on it. Replacing a bracket that is not flexing shouldnt(IMO) affect the frames rigidity. For me, the weak link is the forks. I am waiting,, did I mention I am WAITing , on someone,, & that someone will REELy remain nameless, chukkle,. Anyway I am waiting on a fork brace to miraculously show up in my driveway. I have had this bike laid over at 70 dragging a peg & had no issue with the frame that I could feel. Of course,when the anus is drawn that tight, what would a guy feel? I really need to stop jumping when a peg hits the ground. Someday, that's liable to put me out of a corner with bad results.

Title: Re: Improving the Frame
Post by mpescatori on 03/31/07 at 06:17:39

First of all, I agree with the issue of fork braces.
But the real improvement will come with an improved fron fork, perdiod.
Those who have the possibility should consider the front fork off a DR enduro, or off a Suzuki Vtwin.

Then I'd upgrade the rear shocks, possibly with a double action system (that you can adjust both in compression and in extension)
Never mind if they come with 16x16 different settings, a wise man will always mate compression and release settings at the same value unless he's a pro at a track day or something.
Just go for setting '1', ride it, then go for setting '8', then for setting '16' - that'll give you an idea of how the shocks will handle at the softers, firmest and middle settings. If you like the '8' and '1' settings somewhat, but '16' is cr4p, try '4', then maybe '6' or '2'.
It's like playing MasterMind, if you stop guessing and use your brain cells, it's actually enjoyable.

Last, I'd have a good look at the tires. Given the size of Savage rear tires, go for "suporsports" rubber (I have Avon Demon, semislick racing tire) with the limited horsepower of the Savage they will last a lifetime AND deliver excellent roadholding. Don't forget proper front rubber, with that skinny itsybitsy wheel it may be a problem.

;D

Title: Re: Improving the Frame
Post by justin_o_guy on 03/31/07 at 07:20:24

Would those improved shocks also be a bit longer? The pegs couls be farther from the ground & that would be nice.

Title: Re: Improving the Frame
Post by babbalou on 03/31/07 at 07:46:57

I had a fork brace, Progressive shocks, Metzler 880 tires & pushed it hard in corners. I'm fairly heavy but I never felt the frame flex. I've felt it in 2 other bikes though. Usually a bad front end wobble while leaned way over with the throttle pinned. Scary when you don't expect it! Never felt that in the LS650. It always felt like it was on rails after the mods.

Title: Re: Improving the Frame
Post by LesGolden on 04/01/07 at 20:56:31

Always plenty of great responses! Must be that fork that feels like it's twisting up on the twisties...

Title: Re: Improving the Frame
Post by klx650sm2002 on 04/02/07 at 03:53:28

I dont know if this is "improving" but I like it.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o147/klx650sm2002/Tiny210mmdisc.jpg

Clive W :D

Title: Re: Improving the Frame
Post by LesGolden on 04/02/07 at 05:29:26

Eh, i'd say a decent size rear tire and a disc brake is a pretty solid improvement. ;D

Title: Re: Improving the Frame
Post by Trippah on 04/02/07 at 19:30:00

Stiffening the frame would be difficult given most of it is single tube. The swing arm pivot is reportedly an area many bikes are deficient at, but I don't know about the Savages. Wider front downtubes would help, yes that's for sure..but all this may be overkill for a simple single.

Title: Re: Improving the Frame
Post by mpescatori on 04/04/07 at 02:18:13

I've been told that different shoulder height tires don't always mix well.
In other words, that a /90 front and a /80 rear may seem alright, but the /80 rear actually forces you to lean more into the bend, and the /90 front may be very close to its roadholding capability.

This means that, at least in theory, /90 tires should be opted for both front and rear...
90/90 and 130/90, ideally, or even 110/90 and 140/90 if one wants fatter tires.

I don't think there is a /80 tire for the front wheel.

Title: Re: Improving the Frame
Post by klx650sm2002 on 04/04/07 at 03:19:29

I have a 110/70 and a 140/70 both 17" rims.

Clive W :D