Weak spot on subframe

Anybody have pictures or know where some links are showing the sub frame malfunctions?

Ya, on http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=409774&page=802
But you'll have to search yourself, there's plenty on it.
But eh, why???

BuRP wrote:Ya, on http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=409774&page=802
But you'll have to search yourself, there's plenty on it.
But eh, why???

Been on several adventures, using the giant loop and a duffel bag for my luggage system and am always concerned about the subframe. I have a ten day adventure coming up, just trying to avoid any complications.

Cannot stand the way ADVRider does their forums, you cannot find anything without trawling through 1000's of posts...most stupid.

You mean like this on mine:

modette wrote:You mean like this on mine:

Yes, thanks for the picture. What is the fix?

Well seeing as I had an FAA certified welder fix it once, that was the second time for me, this time I lost the solid insert so I ordered up a used OEM one from ebay. Paid a little bit of money as I needed it for a rally 5 days away. Shipping was nutty...but oh well.

There is an after market steel one. Might want to try that.

Edited to say: Oh don't ask how the insert fell out but I kept the bolt...LOL The picture was after I slide the bolt back in. With the newer one, I put a lock-nut on the end, just to keep it all nice and tight.

Modette, did you have some luggage on when they broke?

mamacone wrote:Modette, did you have some luggage on when they broke?

No I was just riding it normal....well I had an Aluminum rear rack and typically put stuff in a Wolfman fender back that I bolted to the aluminum rack. I took all that off, I don't run the rack now. I try and keep as much weight off the sub frame as I can. I try and stand more now too.

I simply don't trust it. I might buy that steel one next Christmas and go that route.

Looking at mine they only put one small weld on the top of the insert, tight wads. The mates on the austriallan site (ADV) recommend welding all around the insert or putting in a longer bolt and use a nut. Going to do something, for the mean time going to try and not bottom the beast out. Modette have you been to Moab?

mamacone wrote:Looking at mine they only put one small weld on the top of the insert, tight wads. The mates on the austriallan site (ADV) recommend welding all around the insert or putting in a longer bolt and use a nut. Going to do something, for the mean time going to try and not bottom the beast out. Modette have you been to Moab?

Yep, mine still broke with a weld all the way around...LOL The left side is just weak.

Yes, I been twice so far. Got plans to go April 12th to 15th. It is a fun place, lots of various desert type of terrain. The slick rock is actually easy, but a lot of fun, plus its close to town.

The right side is held by a bolt right through - meaning the bolthead pinches BOTH sides of the sq.tube, hence both sides (due to friction) transfer force.
The left side is held by the bolt pulling the threaded insert against the frame's casting, with inbetween this only ONE side of the square tubing >> that's half of the above!
I have not looked if space allows it, but a proper remedy - for the above difference - would be to install a slightly longer bolt which would allow the addition of a washer & nut, the latter torqued after torquing the bolt.
Such would 'equal' both sides.

Mind though, the subframe is lopsided, the rhs does less than the lhs does due to the space the silencer occupies. Mind even more, this bike was not designed to carry any luggage, so if you add any choose soft luggage only, Giant Loop stuff springs to my mind. Any 'hard' luggage, panniers and the like, will ruin this subframe quick, as this type of stuff does not flex like bags will do.

Steel subframe for XR650R here:

http://shop.globetrottin.com/product.sc?productId=33&categoryId=21

The malfunction was caused by the bolt not being tight obviously.