LowRyter

Actually, there is more to it than that. There is a thermal shock element, I think. At any rate, baking before welding is a better than good idea. That's somewhat true Chuck, more the mitigation of distortion though I think. The lesser the heat gradient during welding the less distortion. My friend that has vast experience welding Ducati cases showed me how after welding near the main bearing bore the hole became somewhat out of round. The solution?......a hammer and small steel drift and peen around the cases internally adjacent to the main bearing bore and weld and presto tension forces released and bearing bore round again. I have used the clean the cases and warm them up to locate cracks before. The oil will seep out of the crack and is faintly visable. Dye check is way better though. Dont know where the l/h lug crack originates but I do know it has a flat face machined on its outer face with no real radius on it. Anyone confirm if this is where it cracks or is it where the lug joins the main case? Ciao I am pretty clueless what you asking about. Perhaps the photo doesn't answer your question.

I have no doubt the cradle was an add-on fix that Guzzi made from the experience that Docc had. Like the roller rocker issue for the early 8 valves, this is pretty much a hidden warranty, the problem is forgotten and the few parts issued are gone now. Some of these bikes, like mine, have few miles on them and probably never ran into the problem when new. I purchased mine 5 years ago, the bike had 12k miles on, it has 36k now. looking at the photo on post #50, I think you are mentioning a lower frame rail connected to the pork chop? That is probably the elegant fix vs the add-on cradle. It makes sense the torsional twist that we love to feel in a Guzzi might be responsible for cracking the transmission. Obviously my biggest concern is fixing the transmission. If we solve that, then I am game for fixing the frame one way or another. And as I think about it, the real culprit as my riding buddy Darren points out, is the same reason I wear out rear tires: my right wrist.

I have the Cal Cycle Works TPS on my EV ($75). Actually, the previous owner had replaced the factory part with the Harley TPS before I bought it. I got 35k+ miles out of that one before it was replaced. I returned a Harley part & returned another Cal part before finding one that works. A fellow on WG had a similar experience with a replacement TPS. I wonder if these replacements are made in China?

MAW- baking the part, meaning heating it in a hot oven to dissipate all of the oil out of the part so the welder can make a good weld.

I called Harper's and they do not have the bracket- no surprise. The shop was going to resize the photo and correct for any stretch in the image. I would imagine that they would check the bike with a tape measure before they cut any holes. Anyway, once it's done they should have the measurements and ability to make more. I dropped off some Corvette Venetian Red paint yesterday from AutoZone to match the frame. And I've sent them some more business yesterday from a buddy that tried but failed to rewire electronic ignition on his Duc bevel single (there are lots of us out here).

The way it is done (in your photos) takes the least number of things apart, so probably the best way to do it when dollars are by the hour, or time is of the essence. It doesn't look like the motor was lowered, even. So, it seems it would be tight getting everything in and out. Not sure why the battery is lifted out? Maybe the guy has never done this on a V11 before, so his mind is not clouded by *conventional wisdom* and really has found a great way to get the gearbox out&in with minimal wrenching? Some guys have a knack for that. That there are no hammers in view is either cause for suspicion or a sign of brilliance . . . I doubt if he's ever torn down another Spine Frame despite working on Ducatis, Guzzis, classics and customs. I would guess that 2/3 of the world's population that have taken a spine frame apart more than once are connected to this board. Me not being one of them. All I know is that he called me at 6 pm on Saturday evening and asked if I wanted him to tear it down. Then I get to his shop on Monday morning around 11 am and you see the photos with everything apart and he's already ground down the gear box housing and has it apart. He's also been invited to show his Sporster Cafe racer (painted red frame, no shit) at COTA Moto GP. He's one a few shows with his custom Ducatis too.

http://www.harpermoto.com/connecting-brkt-01202830.html $33.82 at Harpers. I might call them and see if they have one in stock. But not in MG cycles look up. CONNECTING BRKT (#01202830)

Phil, talked to the shop and they are getting dimensions for a water jet. They seemed agreeable that to make additional pieces.

is semi-crabbed better or worse?

here's some more photos, Tim

8mm is just a little smaller than 3/8 in. Why would that matter?

Phil, I'll ask Don about the possibility of making an extra cradle if he is able to make one for me. Obviously I am not certain about the success of anything right now regarding repair of my bike but I can certainly ask. Perhaps if there is broader interest, he might see a business opportunity?

.....I am more concerned about getting it back together.

I might sell you my Greenie, after the repairs I think I could let it go for $10k (and may still lose money).

the shock is disconnected from the frame but I believe the swingarm is still connected.

went to the shop. Don has got the bike in pieces. He's pressing on to fix it. The transmission is apart and he'll bake all the fluid out of the offending piece and weld it. I also gave him the photo Docc posted of the bracket and gave him this website to review it. He thought he could fab that up too. He'd like to get the bike completed by the end of the week. I am not sure if he expects to fix the plastic by then or not. He didn't express a big concern about it. Of course it's my $$. here's the bike and here's the ground out crack If he gets it done this week, he might finish it before I get my clutch cable replaced on the EV. The good news is the weather is lousy and I won't be riding anyway. My hope is to have the bike ready for the Ozark RAT Raid in late April. I might make it to Dusty's Rally in Cedar Vale Ks the weekend after. Nothing would be better than having both bikes on the road next weekend.

The whole rear of the bike is hanging on a hoist. You can see the black straps in the middle top of the photo.

Doc, I looked at all the usual internet suspects. I can't find the cradle and would assume there are no gearboxes housings anywhere. I can probably have the cradle fab'd. I'll need to get some measurements since it's off center. I hope it's standard 1/8 in stock and flat? If it's got bends in it, I might be hosed. If it's too complex for Don, I'll check with a couple of motorcycle drag race shops here like Racing Innovations (they built all those chopper frames you see on TV) and Marion Owens. I am probably going to be into this for more than it's worth. I'd still like to be riding again in April. But I still wonder what I can sell parts for to put in a Ducati SS kitty? (This never crossed me mind a week ago but I might be forced into it if no one will touch it.) Anyway, I am just ranting on a Sunday afternoon. Monday will tell the tale when I go to the shop and talk to Don.

where can I get this mounting plate? just getting deeper and deeper now. But I am out of options, if my gearbox can't be fixed, the bike is toast.

haven't seen it. Don called me. I asked if he would sent it out but said he would try to weld it. There's a fabrication shop next door there too. I suppose he'll know more once the tranny is removed. I have no idea if it's doomed or not.

yep, she's cracked. Dan's going to take it out and try to weld it up. Otherwise, I might have to get a replacement.

Tell you what. I'll give you 50 dollars for it, and I'll even come pick it up. I'd hate get you into a mess. You'd probably go all over Indiana looking for someone to service it. Hopefully we'll get her worked out. Worst case, is that I have an offer of a transmission (thanks to this board's generous folks). And more hopeful, it won't come to that. Hope is eternal. And my favorite ride.

If I can't get the tranny leak fixed I might have one for ya.

those wheels should be gray. as in the color gray. according to the dictionary: gray A color intermediate between black and white, as of ashes or an overcast sky or V11 Sport wheels. You can't argue with the dictionary. Look it up if you don't believe me.

Gosh, I think I saw Yes in concert probably 4 times in the 70s and early 80s. The last show I saw, they played in the round. well, guess who is back in business? Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman. http://www.arw-tour.com/