Hitchcocks Forum

Hi,
I forgot to mention that on my same trip with the broken sprocket the bracket between the frame and the cylinder head broke for the second time. I previously had it welded but that did not seem to hold up. Do you reckon I can make a 2 to 3 mm thick mild steel custom bracket for this or will I run the chance next time to break part of my cylinder head?

Regards

Roeland

Hi Roeland, I am sure all would agree a photo of the frame damage would be good before offering advice.Cheers.

Hi guys--------- I'd second that request....You might want to consider brazing rather than weld--- more flexible joints etc...

ok - I will see if I can upload a photo later tonight.

http://i44.tinypic.com/8yf43c.jpg[/IMG
The link to the picture.

Looking at the broken end, the steady looks like a piece of mild steel tube with the ends flattened. Cheap certainly, material quality highly questionable. I sold my EFI a few months ago, but never had this problem. On my old 2007 bike I fitted Hitchcocks adjustable steady, much better quality and it could be adjusted so that it was a proper length between the fixings, but don't know if it would fit the EFI. Am sure Mr. H would know.
Cheers TrevorCH

ROELAND, Putting these posts together can you notice a pattern emerging......

This is what happens when you take part in the DAKER RALLY, with full luggage and 200lb rider.

Not wishing to be in any way offensive but its time you reappraised what the hell is happening here...

Ok its possible to lose a tooth or two through a stone. MotoX yes but on a road bike...??

Broken head steady to me signals some serious flex in the frame/engine and my bet is over rough ground the rear shocks have been completely compressed at times... the swing arm up fully will have pulled the chain so tight as to tilt the engine just enough to overload the mountings.. SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE..

I would look seriously at better quality rear shocks..After a thorough check of all engine mount bolts/fixings and close examination of the frame jointing..

brazed or welded.. Swing arm/shocks lower fixing stud has been known to snap off... Just check things are sound.... sincerely gwilly..

In the time I have spent trying to view (unsuccessfully)your photo I could have turned you a new steady and milled the slot. It does sound as if there has been some serious stress/vibration going on and weakest link will be where it breaks. I must improve my IT skills!
Keep smiling, we are here to learn.

Gwilly,
I think you nailed it, chain too tight

Hi guys-------- Having now seen the photo and read the contributions, I just want to add an extra "might be" item}---ie. The longitudinal alignment of these head steadies is dubious at best.....On my Classic 500, if I just nip the bolt at the frame end, then there is a 1/4" gap between the head and steady at the other end !! ---and that can vary each time I have the cyl. head off then re-fit..( I made a spacer and a longer high tensile bolt)...... If, as most would tend to do, you just fit and bolt-up without checking the alignment then there will be a fair bit of "Pre-stress" applied to the steady, even if the chain etc is perfectly ok !!..PLUS all the other ideas as well----------- As mentioned, for these two events to happen individually is bad enough, BUT on the same ride ??--- somethings not "cricket", is it ??? ( Can I mention the ASHES, Norm ??)------