I acquired a 2000 Honda Recon that didn't run and has a bent frame. Through years of neglect (and some teenagers)...it has been through the ringer. Here is my issue, I got it running by cleaning out the carb. Hit the 'Easy' button on that one, but the frame is bent from taking a front right hit to a tree (I assume).

The front nose is angled probably at about 20° off center. Is it cheaper to fix the frame at a body shop (I have no idea how much that costs) or to replace the frame from a parted out ATV? I have a title for this one, which is the main reason I figured I would try to fix the frame.


Any thoughts? Has anyone attempted to bend a frame back in line with any success?

 

20 degrees????? Holy $#%@. That's HUGE! I'd say replace.

 

Ok... that was a bad typo. Perhaps I need to use a protractor. We will go with a much less number. like 2-3°.
Pictures are always worth more than my words...

 

I had a bumper that got bent. Bent it back and it looked fine. Until I needed it again. Instead of just replacing a bumper, I replace a bumper, a arm and tie rod ends. Think about all the things that are going to be out of line even worse it you bend it again, and what they take out when they go.

I'd get a new frame.

 

It sucks to give up a frame I have a title to that will be replaced by a frame I probably won't get a title to.

Maybe I just am overthinking it.

Time to hit craigslist and find a new frame.....

 

A decent weld or body shop should be able to straighten that out and then strengthen it up as well. It may even be possible to just replace certain sections that are rough too. I had some frame rust through on an old quadracer I used to own. I had a guy clean it up and weld a piece of steel over top of the weak areas. Never had another issue with it over the years I owned it.

 

Any idea what a body shop would charge to do that?

 

I have done several motorcycles and ATVs. What I do is take everything
off and take measurements. Then I use chains, a large I-beam, and
hydraulic jacks (12T and 20T) to bend. Often the frame springs back,
so you have to overbend, and/or whack the frame in stategic places
with a sledgehammer while under tension.

Sometimes, you need to put some small cuts in the frame to encourage
the rebending to occur where you want it. Then I weld and gusset the
cut.

This is not hard to do and it has been very rewarding to this DIY guy. I will
look to see if I have any pix of my recent Foreman 450 rollover project.

 

Useless update.
Final verdict..I sold the whole thing just for the motor. Ended up making a few dollars of my initial investment too. Now I am working on a Yamaha to try it to get working.

 

Thanks for the update. Nothing wrong with making a few bucks. Good luck with the yammie.