Slimline Frame Bracing

Has someone with Manx pretensions sawn it off?

Some people might just do without it. Otherwise, I guess you’ll be getting a new one made, or sawing a replacement one off a rusted-out frame.

hello Ryan - Is the frame for a single cylinder bike or has it had another type of engine fitted ?  The gusset plate at the steering head, in front of the two down-tubes,  is usually a thin flat triangular plate. There is usually a hole for afixing the bottom of the friction steering damper.  The images do not blow up well but am I correct in thinking that the top portion of the gusset has been removed for some reason ?   You will need to make the triangular piece of plate, remove what remains of the original and then braze it in place.  If you're fitting a Dominator engine you should also fit  the correct front engine plate mounting brackets while you're doing the top gusset.  Cheers, Howard 

Singles frames are easily identified by a "flat" on the inside of the RH top frame loop, to provide clearance for the tappet cover of the "fatter" single cylinder head. Might explain the peculiar front engine mounts.

I thought the pics were examples of the bit that’s missing (the trouser plate). That may have been a silly assumption.

Now I have no idea.

The slimline frames for the twins usually have a mounting bracket for the centre, front engine plate mount and another, lower down the frame tube, for the bottom of the front plate and the engine lug.  Obviously these two brackets are replicated on the other downtube so there are four in all welded to the frame.  Your frame doesn't have this arrangement so it may be for a single cylinder bike or a Triton or some such special.  Good luck with it, Howard 

There are firms out there creating new Featherbed frames. You could try asking one/some of them for assistance.

Hi Ryan .  I have read that the thin gusst plates do sometimes crack along the welds but that it does not usually become a problem and handling is unafected . So it appears that from a handling  point  the gusset is superfluous . However as the gusset assembly  acts as a mount for the steering  stop  it seems neccessary  to get something made up and  fitted , unless you can rig up something else.

Before you go adding a repair panel let’s be clear on what you actually have. An early frame, Manx frame, modified frame, crashed frame.  Codes within the frame number and headstock fillet will clarify what you have.

Jon

..may not be making Slimlines, but may have suitable parts for welding or may be able to advise whether or not the piece is necessary for frame integrity.