Bent Frame - Advice Requested

Tim said:

The new project is pretty much taken apart and in boxes and baggies awaiting repair. My current problem is how to deal with the bent frame. This bike came from Arkansas and back in the 70's some "safety expert" convinced the Arkansas legislature to require all motorcycles to be equipped with "crash bars". They were attached to the frame down tubes using u-clamps. The result is a bent frame where the clamps were tightened around the bars. I request some of your good advice on how to deal with this issue. The frame is in excellent condition except for this.

Any advice would be appreciated. I haven't a clue.

The engine is out on the workbench and ready for a teardown. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks
Tim

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highdesert said:

What I am about to say is grounds for hanging, banning, but here goes.

Just my personal opinion, those indentations on the frame tubes do not look that bad, seriously, they don't.
In 1971 I bought my first Commando and immediately put highway peg bar that crimped on the tubes, and rode that
bike from Minnesota to Mexico and back home, with my feet on the bar.
And then took the bar off and rode it another 10 years and 20,0000 miles before selling it. No handling issues.

I bought my present 850 17 years ago and it had a little worse looking tube indentations from the previous owner.
I sanded down those areas, mixed up some JB Weld and built it up, then sanded down and painted, looks perfect.
No issues, no funny handling, nothing but happy riding every since.

YES, I know what the "right" thing to do was, do what everyone here has suggested.
But I did not bother with both bikes worse looking than yours, just don't see how the frame is "weakened" or how you would
be in any danger while owning and riding the bike "normally", not as a stressed racer.
Ok, throw me off, tell me I am giving bad advice, I know, I know. Just saying what I did with the same issue.

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highdesert said:

No need to remove any metal from the frame tubes, just JB Weld mix the indented areas to build them up then light sanding and paint.

There may be a need to remove metal, but only if the tubes were crushed so severely that the tubes expanded.
And it it was that bad, then my suggestion of a simple and quick cosmetic fix would not be appropriate.
Honestly, I cannot see how the frame tubes ability to hold "up" the motor is compromised by the small indentations on his, and most other, tubes.

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