Tearing bike down to frame for inspection... tips?

[Laserb]

Talked to "The Frame Man" today about checking out my buddy's Ninja 500 that has a loose/bent front end since his crash. He said to break it down to so the frame was completely visible and the front end ready to come apart.

The thing is my buddy's not going to be able to pay for repairs for a couple weeks so the bike may be sitting until then. Should we winterize it or will it be okay for a couple weeks (less than a month)?

Also any tips on doing this procedure would be great. Thanks:teeth

[FrigginChi]

just fill it up with gas and put some fuel stabilizer in it and u will be ok...as for stripping it..make sure u label the parts :)

[Joebar4000]

Empty the carbs too, put tape around them so crap can fall in them, golf-tees work well in fuel lines.

But yeah, BAGS! Go buy a shitload of ziplocks, label them and keep them with the relevant part. Taking pics always helps too.

It'll save you poring over the stupid manual when it comes time to put it back together.

I wonder if the looseness is just the stem bearings finally settling in their final resting place? Sometimes happens after a crash...

[Laserb]

Well, the bike's going to a shop just to make sure it's safe. My friend doesn't really need to ride it now so it can sit. Plus, frame inspection is free.

I just put all the bolts back into their "nut" on the bike so they don't get lost. I've learned many times working on my car that a single cup or fender is not the best place to put bolts:angel . And I took pictures so we could put it back together. I didn't have a big enough hex bit to take the front wheel off (why can't the ninja just use a bolt?!) so we couldn't get the front end totally ready to go in. Now I just gotta find someone with a truck that can help get it to the shop. I'm not too worried about that.

Does this look stripped enough for a frame inspection or does the battery and all need to come out too? I'm not worried at all about the frame, just the front end and steering stem bearings.

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/108/358/1576641-ninja_007.jpg

[TRIGUN]

The complete front end must be removed and everything from the subframe must be stripped. Leave only the wires hanging with zip ties from the subframe. rear wheel can stay on but caliper must come off. Bring him the front end in pieces to measure. You might as well bring it now because the wait is 3-5 weeks. More like 5. Even for just a frame check they make you leave it there in line with the rest, so it will be sitting there for a few weeks.

[sparky80]

yeah... that front fender has got to go too... it sticks out like a sore thumb. :laughing

[Laserb]

The rear of the frame is fine. Just the front end needs to be looked at as well as the steering stem bearings. And I know about the front end needing to come apart. I don't have a big enough hex bit (inverse bolt head) to take the front axle out. Once I get that it can come apart. I'm trying to get it there ASAP because of the wait.

We tried to get the fender off but the wheel has to come off first. There's no way around that. The extra weight of it is really hurting out lap times right now:p .