Bent frame?
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 89
From: Reno, NV
Normally you would have to pull the tank (you can just slide the tank back carefully without draining and disconnecting the crossover) and gain access to the plastic trap door underneath the backbone of the frame near the neck to find the connectors for the front end. Sounds like you pulled the whole thing through, but you'll need to get it back in there.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 497
Likes: 575
From: Maryland
Yeah, I pulled that plug in the right side of the frame at the steering neck, couldn't see the connectors and, having never done this before on a Harley I was a little flummoxed at how to get at them. But as seems to be the case with these bikes, once figured out it really seems pretty simple. With the service loop freed it was pretty easy to pull out the front until the connectors came through. The wiring harness just folds over on itself and gets stuffed back in the frame, not too tough now that I know. I had to pull the gas tank anyway to get a proper look at the frame. Looks good to me, no bends, wrinkles, cracked/flaking paint, damaged welds, nothing. There is a big gouge taken out of the frame stop where the triple tree post banged into it, and that post is bent over a little as well. That's why the triple tree hit the tank. Other than those issues the steering neck looks OK, I put a fitted rod through the neck and it appears lined up just about right with the center of the bike. Still, a little leery about whether it's completely square.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,493
Likes: 7,789
From: Long Island, New York
To pull the wire loom back into the frame, remove the rear tire. There is a black plastic cover at the end of the frame, fish in a hook and grab the loom, pull it back into the frame. And that is from the FSM.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 497
Likes: 575
From: Maryland
Looks like the triple tree post banged into the frame stop hard enough to bend the post over and take a chunk out of the frame stop, as shown in the attached pics. I also include a photo of the intact frame stop for comparison. Eyeballing the steering neck for level To check the steering neck I
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 497
Likes: 575
From: Maryland
I do not like this laptop, one wrong touch and the post is out the door. To continue, I can't find anyone who has a device to check the frame and the bike is now in pieces in my garage so here's what I did. Put a tsquare on the frame backbone at several points to confirm square. Assuming the backbone is square to the steering neck I inserted a straight tube through the steering neck and a straight steel tube across the frame backbone, then took a laser level to it. The lines indicate the neck is square to the frame backbone. I attach the aforementioned photos and a video of the laser level check but don't know how well it will appear. I can tell you that the lines ran straight down the middle of the vertical and horizontal tubes when i could hold it steady. What do you think? Good enough to confirm square?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 4,124
Likes: 2,116
From: W. MI.
The only way you will know for sure (if not going to the frame shop) is to replace what is needed, put it back together, and ride it down the road. Have someone that rides follow you in a car and see how the bike tracks front wheel to back. If all that looks good and it seems to handle right, no shimmy or shake at different speeds, and runs straight down the road, I'd ride it and keep an eye on your tire wear. That could tell you something as well. While on a ride just raise your hands slightly off the bars and see if it pulls one way or the other. That can tell you something as well. Good luck!
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 497
Likes: 575
From: Maryland
Thanks for the replies. With respect to measuring, can someone help me out on how that's done? It seems to me that it can't be properly done unless everything is removed from the frame since there are no straight lines to anything but the downtubes, the engine's in the way. If anything's bent it's probably the steering neck where the frame stop is gouged, there is no evidence anywhere that any other part of the frame is bent/damaged. The frame tab and crosspieces on the downtubes are completely intact, no flaking paint, wrinkles, cracked welds, anything. The swingarm pivot is probably the best reference point but I can't see how to get a good measurement to the steering neck. Any thoughts? Thanks.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 251
From: Belle River Ontario
After reading through this...And taking into account the way the bike was damaged..I think your frame is ok. I believe Harley listed the broken stop..as “bent frame” and that is what the insurance company sees “bent frame”...instant wright off....
Dont go chasing your tail on this one...Personally I would just rebuild it and start riding it...you’ll know soon enough..
Dont go chasing your tail on this one...Personally I would just rebuild it and start riding it...you’ll know soon enough..
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 1,190
From: New Hampsha
Level the frame then put your tube through the neck and mark the center on the floor. Drop a plumb line form the center of the front engine mount attach bolt holes to the floor and mark it. Do the same for the rear mount. If all three marks are in a straight line I think you're good to go.