So I have some options for the frame rot and am looking for some opinions.

I can get the aftermarket "plates" that would replace the stamped ones the HD used for $200.00. I've decided that I'm not going to be able to do the repair here since I really don't have the room or space to do it the right way (damn I wish I had a garage again). Dr. Johns in Anaheim said it would be $600-$800 for the repair, fixing the rot or replacing the stamped pieces



I found a frame with no rust from an 86 for $350.00 shipped to my door, comes with a bill of sale, no title. Not such a big deal but a possible hassle getting title. I've got pics of it and it looks to be in VERY good condition with no real rust on it.




Opinions????

 

IDK...I like O.E. or as close as possible... Makes ya wonder how in thee hell a frame can come for sale without title????
Buy it and apply for a title and you will find out... good part is... the Guy with the frame Wins that discussion... unless it is on a Hot list... in which case!!!!
The guy with the frame looses Big time..
Find a Friendly at the DMV and Run the Numbers before ya do anything!!!

 

[QUOTE=Mountainkowboy;18475320]So I have some options for the frame rot and am looking for some opinions.

I can get the aftermarket "plates" that would replace the stamped ones the HD used for $200.00. I've decided that I'm not going to be able to do the repair here since I really don't have the room or space to do it the right way (damn I wish I had a garage again). Dr. Johns in Anaheim said it would be $600-$800 for the repair, fixing the rot or replacing the stamped pieces



I found a frame with no rust from an 86 for $350.00 shipped to my door, comes with a bill of sale, no title. Not such a big deal but a possible hassle getting title. I've got pics of it and it looks to be in VERY good condition with no real rust on it.









Buying the 86 frame would be the easiest and cheepest (as long as it is straight) but I probably don't need to tell you to run the frame numbers 1st and make sure it's not hot.

I'm helping my Navy buddy that I ride with on building his FLH Shovel Bobber. He was given a frame with bent down tubes from a friend, sent it to the Frame Doctor and they did a great job on repairing the frame and power coating it, I was impressed with their work. I'm riding up to Prescott to give him a hand replacing his lifters on his 78 FLH this weekend (different bike, he has 5 HD's) . I'll see if he has any photos of the frame before and after the repair and post them for you.





Not sure whats up with the Forum but its telling me that my message is to short and that I need to add 5 charcters? So I'm trying again.

 

It's a salvage place and the frame is now sold as "parts" as the title gets returned to the state, like buying a JY car. I'm currently waiting on a call from DMV to see what the procedure is to titled it. I don't think it's much different than what I have to do because Alma has a salvage title now. I still have to go through the same hoops when she's ready for the road.

 

Around my part of the rhubarb patch, there is Clean Title, Salvage Title, and Junk Title... as you say title returned to state... since we are required to have [outrageously expensive] Insurance... the hardest part of any but a clean title ... is Insurance... Salvage???? sometimes... Junk?? Never... the insurance company paid off that "bike" once... and ain't gonna another time!!! Good Luck... hope it is different on the left coast!!!

 

Dr Johns is our local frame "guru's", I've had a few friends use them with great results. The frame is from a MC salvage place, so it's legal, just considered "parts" now. Pretty sure it's straight, I've seen pictures of the complete bike. It looks like it got laid down and the insurance totaled it cause it's 33 years old and not worth fixing in their eyes.

 

From what I can find in a search...I'll be issued a new VIN for the bike and the VIN on the replacement frame isn't even considered. It's like I built a "custom" bike from scratch, I have a bill of sale for the frame and the title on the old frame and engine, it would be like titling a chopper that I built.

 

In that case... have your frame repaired... maybe even have that section replaced with a piece of your "salvaged" frame... a Builders title is Not a Harley Title, and Not anything I would want... especially if I was ever considering resale..

 

It's a little harder with the "replacement" frame, but would be tagged as a special construction and issued a new VIN...I guess that's not any worse than a salvage title.

As for what am I going to do? I have no idea right now but like I said it will NEVER have a "clean" title.

 

Why aren't you grafting solid frame sections to replace the rusted parts?