BBC frame weld problems

Lightnin'Larry · #1 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 03:19 PM

Okay, for the sake of continuity I thought it best to start a new thread on this subject.
I would like to ask everyone if you or someone you know has had any issues whatsoever with the frame or swingarm welds on any year or any model Big Bear bike?
Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated!

builder x · #2 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 04:04 PM

I did some work on a BBC frame awhile back and it had some serious issues. they had removed the backbone and spliced in a new one. It wasn't done very well so the whole bike is off kilter. I also worked on one of their swingarm frames that had some smaller issues with brackets, fender mounts breaking, etc.

Lightnin'Larry · #3 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 05:47 PM

Builder x,

When you say "they had removed the backbone" who is they? Was it the owner or was it BBC?
Thanks for your response.

golfish · #4 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 06:06 PM

Hmmmm, backbone, top motor mount (shit, I mean engine mount)

Come on Larry, you need to spill it man........

Lightnin'Larry · #5 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 08:47 PM

golfish,

On Friday August 31st 2007 at 4:30 pm while traveling on southbound Hwy 87in San Jose, CA the welds between the neck stem and the top and down tube suddenly and without warning snapped and the front end assembly completely separated from the rest of my 2004 Big Bear Choppers Devil’s Advocate chopper motorcycle.
The motorcycle slammed down on the lower frame rails and while trying to hold on to the now unattached front end I slid for over 500 feet! By some miracle of God the motorcycle did not flip, tumble or fly out of control. It goes without saying that it's amazing that I'm alive to tell the tale.

Winston_Wolf · #6 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightnin'Larry

golfish,

On Friday August 31st 2007 at 4:30 pm while traveling on southbound Hwy 87in San Jose, CA the welds between the neck stem and the top and down tube suddenly and without warning snapped and the front end assembly completely separated from the rest of my 2004 Big Bear Choppers Devil’s Advocate chopper motorcycle.
The motorcycle slammed down on the lower frame rails and while trying to hold on to the now unattached front end I slid for over 500 feet! By some miracle of God the motorcycle did not flip, tumble or fly out of control. It goes without saying that it's amazing that I'm alive to tell the tale.

... Oh my

Guess I better check some welds tomorrow

RippoDippo · #7 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 08:55 PM

There was a teething time when Bee Bee C was doing reverse engineering on there supplied Frames!

CENJIM · #8 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 09:46 PM

Yeow!!!!!!!
Were you able to keep the front end in front of everything?
Obviously you were extremely lucky with it ending as it did.

LUCKYDEVIL · #9 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 10:02 PM

did bbc make there own frame's in 2004?

RippoDippo · #10 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 10:03 PM

They (BeeBeeCee) never got the orignal D/A prototype frame caus I did!
Must have designed it from Online pics!
Sweet bike rode her for 3 years! sorry I miss her but 22K is nice!

Lightnin'Larry · #11 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 04:07 AM

LuckyDevil,

To the best of my knowledge all of BBC's frames were being made in house at that time. At least that's what they were saying on their website back then.

RayBan · #12 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 10:23 AM

04 venom prostreet here, 14000 miles on it and no weld problems so far on the frame or swing arm. Did have a weld break on the rear fender at the upper weld plate, behind the seat where it attaches it to the swing arm. BBC fixed the problem.

BBC · #13 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 10:55 AM

These are the facts:

1. Larry assembled his motorcycle himself in 2004
2. Left top motor mount loose for approx. 16,000 miles
3. He modified backbone by drilling a large hole near the neck
4. Crashed his motorcycle only weeks prior to the failure of the frame
5. When we had advised him that his motor mount was loose and that it could cause frame failure, along with him modifying the frame by drilling a 3/4” hole in the backbone near the neck, he told us we did not know what we were talking about. We advised him to purchase a new frame, which he refused. He said if the frame failed, it would be our fault.
6. Any modification of a frame voids our lifetime warranty

As a company, we would do anything for our customers, especially anything that has to do with safety.

-Big Bear Choppers

gypsy chopper · #14 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBC

6. Any modification of a frame voids our lifetime warranty
-Big Bear Choppers

that SHOULD go without saying...but in this day and age...logic is out the window.

if you are capable of building a bike for US highways, which can legally be sold to another, you should hold yourself responsible for the frame that you decide to use, or not...

carry your own water guys. life's tough.

Lightnin'Larry · #15 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 11:39 AM

Nice try BBC, those are NOT the facts!

1. Yes, I did assemble the motorcycle myself in 2004
2. The top motor mount was NOT loose! Mike Post asserted that and he was fired from BBC, not a very reliable source! I personally torque ALL the engine mounts every 2000 miles without fail! BBC is trying to blame me for their poor welding! I had a certified failure analysis done on the welds and they were found to be faulty and I have the report and so does BBC!
3. I did modify the back bone by drilling a SMALL hole (3/8" dia.) near the neck (about 2" back on the under side)
4. I did "crash" my motor cycle at the June 2007 BBC ride the mountain event. I was going about 8 mph when I hit a patch of pea gravel and went down on the right side on the dirt shoulder of the road. Only did minor paint damage to the front fender and messed up the air cleaner a bit. Kevin himself inspected the damage about an hour after it happened and made no negative comments regarding the frames integrity!
5. Like I said in #2 it wasn't loose the hole was a 3/8" dia. for wiring to pass through! They DID NOT advise me to buy a new frame! Also, under no circumstances should a weld be so fragile that any amount of vibration could cause it to fail, the tubing itself should fail before the weld does, that is if the weld is done properly.
6. Then why did Mike the Greek tell me to grind out the hole for the top engine mount bracket so the bolt would fit through it because it was not welded in the correct position? Wouldn't that void the warranty too? There was no mention in the instructional video or anywhere else that making small modifications would void the warranty!

The welds were bad and that all there is to it and I have positive scientific proof of that fact!
Also, in the letter I received from BBC's attorney they stated that the alleged mileage in #2. was 10,000 miles, so which was it 10,000 or 16,000? Lairs need to have a good memory!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBC

These are the facts:

1. Larry assembled his motorcycle himself in 2004
2. Left top motor mount loose for approx. 16,000 miles
3. He modified backbone by drilling a large hole near the neck
4. Crashed his motorcycle only weeks prior to the failure of the frame
5. When we had advised him that his motor mount was loose and that it could cause frame failure, along with him modifying the frame by drilling a 3/4” hole in the backbone near the neck, he told us we did not know what we were talking about. We advised him to purchase a new frame, which he refused. He said if the frame failed, it would be our fault.
6. Any modification of a frame voids our lifetime warranty

As a company, we would do anything for our customers, especially anything that has to do with safety.

-Big Bear Choppers