Bent frame on a 1975 CB550 can it/should it be fixed

clay69camaro

clay69camaro

Active Member
Picked up a bike from a friend, the original frame has a bent down tube. Can this thing be fixed and should it be? I was thinking a torch to heat up the metal and to anchor the frame and use a chain and some kind of hydralic press or puller to straighten it out. Or just take it to a shop to have them straighten it.

Now I ask should I because I also got another frame with the purchase. I would like to keep the matching frame and engine together though, that's why I'd like to get this frame straightened.

I'll post up a few pictures of the frame soon to show how it's bent and get some opinions.
 
datadavid said:
Isnt it easier to just transfer the numbers from the straight frame?
Click to expand...

That's not legal, I'd never be able to get this thing registered if I attempted to do that. Not to mention the head tube has the vin stamped into it.

On to the pictures.



Here's a piece of square bar to better show the difference in the two tubes



 
that would really need to be done by someone capable of getting the wheels back in line
much cheaper just to get a metal stamping set
are you sure it is not an asymetrikal frame ?
 
and i see you are in cal you can just file for a "lost title" on the other frame as long as it is out of the computer(7 years) and of course not stolen
 
There's a lot of stuff that are quite illegal.. :)
In sweden this is possible to do legally, it's a bit of a process though and it needs to be properly documented.
 
Are you certain the frame is not asymmetric as xb promotes? Aside from the very obvious difference in front down tube angle, the frame looks, at least from the pics, perfectly straight. For there to be that much difference, there must be massive displacement elsewhere, like the tubes that run below the motor (which are in fact often asymmetric). The steering head and swing arm pivot look nice and perpendicular in the pics, which seems unlikely if a crash displaced the downtubes that much.
 
jpmobius said:
Are you certain the frame is not asymmetric as xb promotes? Aside from the very obvious difference in front down tube angle, the frame looks, at least from the pics, perfectly straight. For there to be that much difference, there must be massive displacement elsewhere, like the tubes that run below the motor (which are in fact often asymmetric). The steering head and swing arm pivot look nice and perpendicular in the pics, which seems unlikely if a crash displaced the downtubes that much.
Click to expand...

If comparatively the two are the same, I can see the asymmetric reasoning, if not just cut the section out Z-notch it... cut the good one and Z-notch it to match weld it and be happy. Put it in a jig and check it out first but it can be fixed.
 
I have no idea it it's an asymmetrical frame or not. that's a thing with the CB550's?

I'll have to take a look at my other frame that's in storage and see if it's the same.
 
it IS a thing with CB350s from the same era, engine mounts are flip flopped and the first time I saw my frame I thought it was bent. I cant vouch for the 550. I asked Google and didn't get any definitive answers. maybe the guys at hondatwins.net can help.
 
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