New frames

jamesp · Jul 27, 2019

I am thinking of buying new frame for my damaged Mk2a rather than repairing it. I was wondering if anyone had experience or information buying a frame from Andover or Norvil. Thanks.

swooshdave · Jul 27, 2019

Why would you buy from Norvil?

jamesp · Jul 27, 2019

swooshdave said:
Why would you buy from Norvil?

Because they sell new frames? That's what I am trying to find out, if they are any good. I'm just getting into this.

baz · Jul 27, 2019

jamesp said:
Because they sell new frames? That's what I am trying to find out, if they are any good. I'm just getting into this.

You'd do better buying from AN in my opinion
Can you not find anything where you are ?
Even a frame without a title?

swooshdave · Jul 27, 2019

Frames seem to be harder and harder to find these days.

Because the frame plate is only riveted on if you have the title for the engine you’re good.

What is wrong with your frame?

jamesp · Jul 27, 2019

swooshdave said:
Frames seem to be harder and harder to find these days.

Because the frame plate is only riveted on if you have the title for the engine you’re good.

What is wrong with your frame?

I was in accident with red light runner, front forks all twisted, other damage. When front end twisted, it sheared off the fork stop on neck, so I am assuming it will need to be checked for straightness. The only frame shop (Dr. John's) close by is in Anaheim. By the time I take it there and spend a few nights, I will have spent as much as a new frame, almost. However, my overall labor will be less as he wants the bike rolling with motor in it. They will take front end off and measure it with motor in it, all other ancillary parts removed. Then a new fork stop will need to be welded on. Other than the fork stop, I can't see any other visible frame damage, but realize it may not be see able.

swooshdave · Jul 27, 2019

Where are you at?

Will insurance cover the new frame? A good frame shop may cost as much as a new frame.

Shipping from Andover will not be cheap. Try the dealers on this list first.

https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/distributors/

jamesp · Jul 27, 2019

swooshdave said:
Where are you at?

Will insurance cover the new frame? A good frame shop may cost as much as a new frame.

Shipping from Andover will not be cheap. Try the dealers on this list first.

https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/distributors/

I'm in central California. I see JRC Engineering in Perris, Ca. Yes insurance would pay for the frame if it comes down to that.

swooshdave · Jul 27, 2019

Not all of them will stock the frame so you may need to call around.

If you want the original frame as good as new you could send it to Wesco in Tacoma. @Mike T has a frame there now. I’m pretty confident it would come back better than new. Just ship it up.

He knows his Commandos.

jamesp · Jul 27, 2019

swooshdave said:
Not all of them will stock the frame so you may need to call around.

If you want the original frame as good as new you could send it to Wesco in Tacoma. @Mike T has a frame there now. I’m pretty confident it would come back better than new. Just ship it up.

He knows his Comnandos.

Thank you. Sounds good, will check him out.

gortnipper · Jul 27, 2019

I've heard some good things about Wesco when I was in Seattle.

swooshdave · Jul 27, 2019

gortnipper said:
I've heard some good things about Wesco when I was in Seattle.

Yeah, we went to his place. He knows his way around a frame.

Douglass Harroun · Jul 28, 2019

It's WASCO, not WESCO. Has done many Commando frames

ILLF8ED · Jul 28, 2019

Commando frames are pretty fragile. I would not want to trust one that had been bent then straightened. You might check with Ken Armann in San Jose for a straight original frame. The good part is you can remove your ID tag and re rivet it to another.
I’m in Stockton, if you need help PM me.

rvich · Jul 28, 2019

Is the tank off the bike? It would be good to lay a straight edge on the spine to see if it is humped. Examine the down tubes. Start taking measurements to see if the head is twisted. There is a lot of speculation that can be saved by starting the verification process before you start spending money on this frame. All dimensions are in the manual. There are a number of old threads here about checking frames for straightness. I'd also call Wasco. I've not sent them a frame but I've talked to them on the phone about a project I have and I got good advice.

kommando · Jul 28, 2019

All the frames seem to have a slight bow in the top spine, a larger than normal bow indicates a crashed frame. Headstock angle check will confirm.

jamesp · Jul 28, 2019

rvich said:
Is the tank off the bike? It would be good to lay a straight edge on the spine to see if it is humped. Examine the down tubes. Start taking measurements to see if the head is twisted. There is a lot of speculation that can be saved by starting the verification process before you start spending money on this frame. All dimensions are in the manual. There are a number of old threads here about checking frames for straightness. I'd also call Wasco. I've not sent them a frame but I've talked to them on the phone about a project I have and I got good advice.

Yes, the tank is off, I'm in process of taking motor out for rebuild. I'll check the top tube. The down tubes look good to me. The only visible damage I see is the fork stop bottom section being sheared off. Thanks for your response.

baz · Jul 28, 2019

kommando said:
All the frames seem to have a slight bow in the top spine, a larger than normal bow indicates a crashed frame. Headstock angle check will confirm.

Yes I agree all the frames I have seen have a slight hump from welding contraction

rvich · Jul 28, 2019

There is an old thread here somewhere in which a piece of pipe is run through the head stock to help determine if the frame is twisted. The pipe can be checked for straight by rolling it on a flat surface. If the bottom tubes of the frame are supported by blocking such that they are level then the pipe through the headstock should be plumb when faced from front or rear. You could do this with bearings in or out depending upon what you find for a piece of pipe (or tube). If the pipe is sloppy in the headstock, careful shimming would provide a pretty good indicator.

(edit: Funny thing, I took a look at the manual and this is the process they describe! Amazing. Additionally, if you have a table saw, a board could be ripped until it fit snugly by the four corners touching the inside diameter.)

Robert_Norton · Jul 28, 2019

.

JamesP,

Don't want to see you misled by a bunch of positive recommendations without providing a counterpoint. I went looking for information like appears at this link here --> https://www.jockeyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185274 <-- .

I've never done business with Wasco, and many people say he is top-rate, but I'd look for some current positive references before sending him a frame -- if I was you.

.

New frames

Similar threads