Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Bent Frame

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 26, 2011 | 02:01 PM
  #1  
RJC's Avatar
RJC
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: olympia, WA
Default Bent Frame

Hi guys,

My wife layed down her 2005 Fat Boy Little bruised. Other then thin and bar damage, The only part of the frame damaged is at the very tip on the back top where the fender struts mounts to.

My question is has anyone try to straighten this area up by heating? Or is there another recommend way of doing it. I need to bring up about 1/2 in to be level with other side.

Any help appreciated
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2011 | 03:34 PM
  #2  
Misbehaven's Avatar
Misbehaven
Elite HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,501
Likes: 26
From: Sheboygan,Wi
Default

Glad to hear she is alright.
Not sure about straightening the frame. The insurance companies today would total the bike or replace the entire frame.
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2011 | 04:30 PM
  #3  
Tom84FXST's Avatar
Tom84FXST
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,706
Likes: 22,737
From: Farmington ,MS
Default

 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2011 | 04:51 PM
  #4  
Blk and Chrome's Avatar
Blk and Chrome
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
Default

Where the damage is I don't think it would be an issue to straighten it. It's always better to bend cold but a little heat shouldn't hurt the frame back there. IMO
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2011 | 04:55 PM
  #5  
Mr. Wannabe's Avatar
Mr. Wannabe
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 720
Likes: 3
Default

A little heat won't hurt just don't go crazy.
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2011 | 04:57 PM
  #6  
Tx_Outlaw's Avatar
Tx_Outlaw
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,656
Likes: 10
From: Aledo, Texas
Default

Wack 'em off and install a Heartland kit.....
Don't believe you'd have an issue straightening there.
 
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2011 | 10:14 AM
  #7  
RJC's Avatar
RJC
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: olympia, WA
Default

After digging more into the bike I found more issuse need help on. I noticed the rear tire was not center and when I pulled the axle bolt cover off, The axle on right side slid back about an inch When I loosened up and tried to adjust back with proper belt tension. The adjusting bolts and not even on both sides also noticed the sprocket is pretty close to the frame. I measured from the center of the swing arm bolts to the center of the hub bolt and thats how I new I was going back even.

The swing arm looks good and cannot find any stress marks.

Is there another way I should be measuring or where to check to see if the frame is really out of whack?

Any help appreciated
 
Attached Thumbnails Bent Frame-img_2954.jpg   Bent Frame-img_2957.jpg   Bent Frame-img_2959.jpg   Bent Frame-img_2955.jpg   Bent Frame-img_2942.jpg  

Reply
Old Jul 27, 2011 | 03:11 PM
  #8  
jed1069's Avatar
jed1069
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 873
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Default

pull the axle out to see if it is bent. Get the bike on a lift to look from the underside. Does the swingarm go up and down smoothly and evenly?
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 27, 2011 | 06:42 PM
  #9  
tmitchellof PG's Avatar
tmitchellof PG
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
Likes: 11
From: Punta Gorda,FL
Default

Sorry to read about your problems.
Are you aware that the rear tire does not sit equidistant, common to the rear fender, on the 2005 Fat Boy?
The rear tire's normal position is closer to the fender on the left/primary side.
Tom
 
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2011 | 11:36 PM
  #10  
RJC's Avatar
RJC
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: olympia, WA
Default

I called insurance company today and waiting to her from an adjuster. If they are to total which I think they will. I'm going to get wife a new bike then try to buy this one back so I can get new frame and build a project.

Thanks for everyones imput and I'll keep you posted on the out come
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:58 PM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE