I found three areas where the frame on the underside of my Foreman has been totally eaten through by rust. This isn't totally unexpected because I used this bike to hunt in a salt marsh for a few years, but I thought I was extra vigilant in keeping this minimized.

Do I need a new frame? Is it possible to just cut out and patch the bad areas? It seems like something should be able to be done besides replacing the frame.

Anyone have any ideas or places that specialize in this stuff? I live in the Houston, TX area.

Thanks for your help.

bd

 

Iam not sure what the frame ism ade of, but you certainly could have a metal shop fix it for you. They could either weld plates of tube steel over the weak spots ("box" the frame), or they could torch out the entire bad piece and replace it with new mild steel (or moly, or whatever it's made of). It will be cheapest if you disassemble the entire quad, though, unless the areas are really easy to get at. Preferably they'd TIG weld but a good MIG welder will do just fine. My wolverine frame's made of light steel - easy to weld if it breaks...

 

Update. I found out that a local shop would rebuild the bike if I bought a new frame for around $5-600.

What do you guys think of this price? I probably won't do it until I absolutely have to, that's why I wanted info on a quick fix.

Thanks for the help.

bd

btt

 

I have never rebuilt an ATV before so I am only guessing. I would probably add the labor ($600?), the cost of the frame, and add another 350-$450 for incidentals and things like engine and suspension mounts, anything rubber, do any scheduled maintenance, and who knows what. That is always the way it seems to go but it is definitely worth it to do it right once rather than every time you ride.