SS frame & carb vs ie
 

OK so I'm seeing lots of issues with ss frames cracking. Can this be sorted by fitting a bolt on tube or does it need a welded stiffener/tube across where the top tubes bend?

Another one is how much difference or better the injection is compared to carbs?

Some of this is for a road based 900 & rest is for ss based desmoduo.

Been away from Dukes for over a year and need my fix & to get back into them.

do ss frames crack? i've "tested" mine fairly comprehensively and not had any frame related issues.

I've thrown mine down the road a few times .. reckon you'll crack before the frame will

Injection v's carbs ... for the road .. wouldn't make any odds

For the track ... Wouldn't make any odds because you'd only be racing against like for like

I'd go for the later one with the 24 degree rake over the older model with its 25 degree rake.
My 600SS frame developed a crack in the top frame rail just along from the headstock. I drilled a small hole at each end of the crack and then had it welded
Never had this with my 750SSie that I raced in Minitwins or my 1000SS

The later frame weighs a couple of kg more though! I can't remember exactly how much but they are written on my garage wall if you do want to know.....

PP

Thanks Gents,

I hadn't realized they'd changed the rake over the years so I need to do more investigating.

Skidlids, that's exactly the location of the cracks I'd been hearing about. No problem with getting it welded up?
Not sure whether It's correct but I've seen comments that the very early frames were CrMo & not known to crack then they went to CS & frames started to crack. When you look at the frame you can see it could do with a brace between the upper tubes to hold them together but that would cause problems with the air box.

Also seen comments on tube wall thickness increase to reduce cracking so maybe that's why the later frames weigh more.

The carb vs injection was more for the road going 'keeper', wasn't sure on ease/cost of maintenance between them?

You can't quite see the weld, just the blue paint that I added to protect it from the rain

That looks like top of top tube. I thought it went on the inside of the top tube where the gusset weld is.

You can get a frame brace to support the affected area.

Is the brace bolt on or welded?