Few questions on safety vs legality

Pie-Roe · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Karma :

Hi all, since the loss of my MZ (too slow and not really my cup of tea, sold it to a friend a fortnight after buying) I've been looking at damaged 400-1200s to buy as a project to slowly build up and possibly 'streetfighter' (only in the way that I want it nekkid and a solo subframe)

I have come across a fair few, but I have some queries.

I know how the CAT system works, and which ones you can buy (C+D IIRC) so thats not a problem, however.

1) if a frame is cracked is it illegal? Secondly if it isn't illegal then is it safe, 1/3 of the width?

2) bent forks, Obviously they can't be rebent, but are a lot of them interchangeable or is it only a select few?

3) Swingarm cracks? Full replacement?

4) twisted yokes? Will have affected the frame?

5) I've found a couple of bikes stolen recovery, which are pretty cheap, no loom at all. Can you make a loom out of several other looms?

Cheers for any replies Karma

Pyro
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Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

In any project like that, it wouldn't be economical to put the bike back on the road, much cheaper to buy a tatty runner in the first place if you're just going to rip bits off/rat it.

Remember, bikes are pretty cheap, but bike spares are horribly expensive. Knackered bikes are worthwhile for spares, or for making one good bike out of two or 3 dead ones. Even then its only worthwhile if you get the dead ones for free or close to.

Fagin · Derestricted Danger Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Karma :

Have seen some class bodges in my time having survived the 70's bikes.

Some of the bodges were surprisingly robust and lasted longer than the rider quite often.

Have seen people weld swinging arms (they were generally just stell then).

Forks used to be "rolled" back to straightness - unless creased in which case no use.

Exhausts fixed with old bake bean cans.

Baffles welded or rivetted back in.

Frames - if head stock bent people often did cut out part of the frame and weld in straight or add new parts, often it was a good fix - as long as you didn't think about it too much. (Remember people were often cutting up Norton Featherbed frames and fitting Rover engines in them and then re welding them).

My brother had a bike that used to love left hand bends - (even ones that weren't there) but used to have to fight it round right handers. All because it had been pulling a side car for years until and accident smashed to sidecar up and bent the frame.

Nowadays bikes are so much faster and therefore much more sensitive to change that unless your looking at an old veteran or a Beemer maybe it probably isn't worth the effort?