6 replies to this topic

[garybowers]

Hello
My son has a Gas Gas 125 TXT Pro(2007).
We have just noticed that the bottom engine mounting frame bracket has cracked?
Is this a common problem with Gas Gas?
The bracket is quite thin gauge metal do you forsee any problems with welding it up?
We are pretty devastated as the bike has only had light use and the problem seems pretty major. We have removed the bash plate and luckily the bracket is very accessible and looks easy to weld?

Any advice would be welcome

Cheers Gary

[JSE]

garybowers, on 09 October 2010 - 05:04 PM, said:

Hello
My son has a Gas Gas 125 TXT Pro(2007).
We have just noticed that the bottom engine mounting frame bracket has cracked?
Is this a common problem with Gas Gas?
The bracket is quite thin gauge metal do you forsee any problems with welding it up?
We are pretty devastated as the bike has only had light use and the problem seems pretty major. We have removed the bash plate and luckily the bracket is very accessible and looks easy to weld?

Any advice would be welcome

Cheers Gary

Gary,
Any good welder should be able to weld the bracket. Tell them the frame is ChromMoly and they'll know what to do. You might look at taking the electrics off just to be sure they are not damaged. Usually there is not a problem if the welding ground is on the bracket, next to the weld but I've had advice both ways from competent welders about taking off the electrics so I do so just to be safe.

Broken brackets are generally caused by loose engine mounts that allow frame flex and combined with the engine harmonics, lead to cracks. Loosen all mounts (including the two 4mm head capscrews on the back of the engine) and when the welding is cooled, tighten everything up and you should be o.k. in the future.

Jon

[sectionone]

If your son bashes rocks as much as I do, the reason your bracket cracked could be because your bash plate is bent and has metal to metal contact. Mine was like that. The rubber pad was cracked and damaged and the bash plate was impacting the lower mount, hammering it in but not cracking it. The stock plate is curved so if yours is flat and you can't bolt it on easily, it is bent. I can't figure out how to straighten it. I hammered it and drove my weighted down truck over it with the plate propped up on wood but it wouldn't bend. Heat didn't help. Would a hydraulic press work? What kind of shop has a hydraulic press?

[garybowers]

JSE, on 10 October 2010 - 02:26 AM, said:

Gary,
Any good welder should be able to weld the bracket. Tell them the frame is ChromMoly and they'll know what to do. You might look at taking the electrics off just to be sure they are not damaged. Usually there is not a problem if the welding ground is on the bracket, next to the weld but I've had advice both ways from competent welders about taking off the electrics so I do so just to be safe.

Broken brackets are generally caused by loose engine mounts that allow frame flex and combined with the engine harmonics, lead to cracks. Loosen all mounts (including the two 4mm head capscrews on the back of the engine) and when the welding is cooled, tighten everything up and you should be o.k. in the future.

Jon

[garybowers]

Hi Jon
Thank you very much for your advice. I was worried the frame would require replacement which on a 3 years old bike would seem harsh?
I take your point about electrics as it seems as if mig is the suggested type of welding method.
Thanks once again.
Gary

[garybowers]

sectionone, on 10 October 2010 - 04:08 AM, said:

If your son bashes rocks as much as I do, the reason your bracket cracked could be because your bash plate is bent and has metal to metal contact. Mine was like that. The rubber pad was cracked and damaged and the bash plate was impacting the lower mount, hammering it in but not cracking it. The stock plate is curved so if yours is flat and you can't bolt it on easily, it is bent. I can't figure out how to straighten it. I hammered it and drove my weighted down truck over it with the plate propped up on wood but it wouldn't bend. Heat didn't help. Would a hydraulic press work? What kind of shop has a hydraulic press?

[garybowers]

Hello
The bike is used mainly in woodland so very few rocks around. You are right though the bash plate was difficult to remove and looks bent. I think we will bite the bullet and order a new one and use it as a pattern to straighten the old one, we will then have a spare.
I think a press is a sound idea and much safer to use luckily we access to one so we will let you know how we get on.
Thanks for the advice.
Gary