Looking for frame advice/info

dwade277 · June 05, 2008, 07:50:17 AM

I just heard back from G.M.D. that my frame is to far gone to repair. So I am in the market for a frame. I have a 2004 S4R and need a straight and true frame with a clean title. I don't know if the S2R has the same frame or not and don't know what years and models have the same frame??
If anyone has one or can lead me to one or help me in my search that would be great.

Thanks,
Damon dwade277@comcast.net

Juan · June 05, 2008, 08:56:38 AM

Both frames should be about the same, S2R and S4R's but the S4R is water cool, if you find a S2R you will have to do some mods to it to add the radiator. That would be the only thing I can think of.

Sent a message to Stuart, he will give you in the right direction.

Good luck.

Speeddog · June 05, 2008, 09:04:41 AM

AFAIK, S2R frame could be made to work with a little modification.
Likely the same for an S4Rt or S4Rs frame.

I'm pretty sure the S4R frame is unique to that model, as far as a straight bolt-up goes.

Chris at MotoredSports might have something, not sure what the paperwork situation is on the stuff he gets as far as salvage or not.

dwade277 · June 05, 2008, 07:23:07 PM

Thanks all, I will try Chris just got some parts from him and I am happy with his biz.

the ron · June 05, 2008, 10:19:37 PM

can you buy a new frame from ducati if you wanted to? i remember that in the past some manufacturers would sell you a new frame with out a salvage title if you supplied your original frame as a sort of core or trade? it probably would be an expensive proposition but i would love to know how much it would cost.

the ron

dwade277 · June 07, 2008, 09:54:38 AM

Ducati wants 3000.00

for a new frame.

Still in the hunt!

dlearl476 · June 07, 2008, 10:20:42 AM

Quote from: dwade277 on June 07, 2008, 09:54:38 AM
Ducati wants 3000.00 for a new frame.

Still in the hunt!

$3k might be worth it if it includes a non-salvage title. IMO, any decent frame is going to set you back $1K-$1.5K and I don't think you could do it, legally, without retitling it as a salvage.

OTOH, if you plan on keeping the bike for any length of time, who cares.

Smiling End · June 07, 2008, 05:42:23 PM

This is probably a stupid question but what exactly is a salvage title?

dlearl476 · June 07, 2008, 07:12:07 PM

Quote from: Smiling End on June 07, 2008, 05:42:23 PM
This is probably a stupid question but what exactly is a salvage title?

Anytime a bike or car is "totaled" by an insurance company then rebuilt, it carries a "salvage" title meaning that it was bought as a salvage. Generally, you have to turn your title into the state in order to get your check from your insurance company.
There are a few other instances where a rebuilt would get a salvage title, but there are ways around it, none legal. For instance buying a frame with a title, putting your stuff on that frame and then licensing it as THAT bike. Nit-picky, sure, but that's the law. It mostly has to do with the stupid EPA/DOT stickers that are on a frame of a certain year of manufacuture, which by law can not be altered by anyone other than the OEM.
Alternatively, if you bought another frame, with another VIN, then put your stuff on it and wanted to register it as YOUR bike, there would be the matter of the VIN discrepancy. You could solve it by going to the DMV, getting an inspection from a dealer verifying the rebuild was up to specs, then get a NEW salvage title with the frames VIN.

Obviously, none of the above matters if you plan on keeping the bike. IF you try to sell it, it will matter a lot, as you can imagine how YOU would feel if you were interested in a bike and found out it had a salvage title. Sometimes it works to the buyers benefit, as bikes can be totalled for purely cosmetic reasons it seems. OTOH, you never know.

55Spy · June 07, 2008, 10:35:31 PM

total it, then buy it back and have a custom frame made from flight cycles or the like and you;ll have a custom non salvage titled bike.

Frames seem to be the main reason bikes get totaled so it might tough to find a straight one....as you are finding out.

Smiling End · June 08, 2008, 07:37:14 AM

Quote from: dlearl476 on June 07, 2008, 07:12:07 PM
Anytime a bike or car is "totaled" by an insurance company then rebuilt, it carries a "salvage" title meaning that it was bought as a salvage. Generally, you have to turn your title into the state in order to get your check from your insurance company.
There are a few other instances where a rebuilt would get a salvage title, but there are ways around it, none legal. For instance buying a frame with a title, putting your stuff on that frame and then licensing it as THAT bike. Nit-picky, sure, but that's the law. It mostly has to do with the stupid EPA/DOT stickers that are on a frame of a certain year of manufacuture, which by law can not be altered by anyone other than the OEM.
Alternatively, if you bought another frame, with another VIN, then put your stuff on it and wanted to register it as YOUR bike, there would be the matter of the VIN discrepancy. You could solve it by going to the DMV, getting an inspection from a dealer verifying the rebuild was up to specs, then get a NEW salvage title with the frames VIN.

Obviously, none of the above matters if you plan on keeping the bike. IF you try to sell it, it will matter a lot, as you can imagine how YOU would feel if you were interested in a bike and found out it had a salvage title. Sometimes it works to the buyers benefit, as bikes can be totalled for purely cosmetic reasons it seems. OTOH, you never know.

Wow, that's some crazy stuff. Thanks for the explanation.

brnout · June 08, 2008, 07:55:25 AM

Is it possible to mount everything on a 900 frame? People have done the sss conversions on them before, but engine mounts etc?: http://cgi.ebay.de/Ducati-Monster-900-Frame-Rahmen-mit-Papiere-unfallfrei_W0QQitemZ140238348675QQihZ004QQcategoryZ78471QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

brnout · June 08, 2008, 07:57:52 AM

I also found an S4RS frame but is pretty expensive if you recalculate to dollars: http://cgi.ebay.de/Ducati-Monster-S4RS-Rahmen-mit-Brief-1-Hd-unfallfrei_W0QQitemZ290236236257QQihZ019QQcategoryZ78423QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

dwade277 · June 09, 2008, 11:09:30 AM

Thanks all for your info and help. I've been talking with a lot of people and all seem to think the frame can be repaired.
G.M.D. of Milford, CT measured frame and gave me these results: Steering axis is pushed back 23.24mm and 1.4 degrees to the left. Sub frame twisted. Mike at G.M.D. said frame needs to be replaced.
My thoughts are that the sub frame can be bent back to shape and the front end can be cut and welded and repaired.
Any thought or ideas??
Anyone know of any frame shops in CT?

brnout · June 09, 2008, 12:12:35 PM

Had a car a couple of years ago I crashed, the whole thing got bent. I had the frame straightened out, but it was newer exactly the same..Drove straight and everything, but it just felt different. And when it comes to motorcycles where balance is everything and a bit more, I am sceptical about bent frames.. You can probably get it pretty straight, but personally I wouldn't feel 100% comortable on it.. But then again, that's just me..

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Looking for frame advice/info