this started on another thread so i figured we better start one addressing just the frame:
Does anyone have pics and can explain how to straighted a bent frame seems there are quite a few atc70 out there that have bent frames and there are those that would like to straighten these frames and salvage them. Any pictures explaining how to straighten them would be helpfull thanks in advance.
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I did read about using a jack between the foot peg and the fork but need more info on how it is done...

Hey Bustin,

My frame was worse than that one. Travis from Sterdy got it straight as an arrow and welded a re enforcement to the area and it has been great / Ihave put some hard rides on it and NO problem.


PM Tres / I am not sure if they will do it for you, mine was an experiement and it worked sweet. I don't have pics but I may be changing the tank out on that bike to coat it in Glamis this weekend. If I do, I will snap some pics for you.

I thought my frame was toast, (and it had a title too) and it turned out GREAT.

Good Luck and I will try and get some pics!!

Later Buddy!
Andy H

Thanxs brother, i have been given some advice on a jack in between case and the front axle and it will move right back in to shape with little effort. I am still in the research mode...

Funny, I've only seen them bent the other direction due to old fat farts jumping them.

Does anyone have a perfect ATC70? If so, what is the aprox. distance from the engine to the tire at the closest point w/o the fender on?
It seems like most of these trikes have a bend one way or the other, and sometimes even sideways. I'd just like to know a starting point.
Now I guess I'll have to go measure mine.

On another note, sometimes it can be the fender. I bought a new Maier blue fender & couldn't get it to fit right. So I messed with the holes a little to adjust it, then a little more, then a little more.... So I figured maybe the frame is slightly bent. At that point I was in no mood to strip it down just to take a look. Then after studying the fender, I realized, at 2am, that the new fender was actually warped. At that point I had already bored the holes, so I couldn't return it. I tried to tweak on it a little more, but it still doesn't fit right. Now I'm out the $30 & still need to order another one. Sweet, a $60 front fender that doesn't even come close to matching the original blue. Next time, I'll check the shape of the fender before I F*@# with it for way to long!!

OK, how do I get the wood to stay. I tried on the case & the pegs.It would start to work, them bam, out it shoots...lost a couple knuckles last night and only got it to move 1/4". I need to go another 1/2" w/o losing anymore flesh. Any tricks to this?

i know its more work but if you pull the motor out you will have more area to put the 2x4 against. then when you start to jack it apart the 2x4 wont fly out

Frame is straight now i need to get this little one running:

Pictures of the jack and the frame straightening:

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Anybody have a seat and pan for sale????????

Looks great... thanks for sharing the pictures! Glad it is all straight... shoot that frame with rattle can black and it might look brand new! Lets get it running for the kids to ride!

Nice pics Bustin....how are the steering stops?

Left side looks some what worn down... Other then that it looks pretty decent..

Now that's better than pulling the engine. I thought about trying that, but didn't know if the sheetmetal part of the frame could handle the pressure. Wood looks pretty tore up, did it bend anything above the engine??? I'm glad that you tried it first!

Tore the wood peace up but thats it, didnt do anything to the frame, i was releived to see that, the only part that moved was the front peace that was bent everything else stade the same. Sheet metal seem to be pretty strong never effected it at all...

Wouldn't the initial bend and then bending it back make the metal weak? If so, is there a way to reinforce it?

I was thinking the same thing. Poule43 mentioned Travis at Sterdy reinforcing his frame after straightening it out. Maybe he'll post of couple pics of the reinforced area of the frame.

Anyway, I removed the carb, stood the trike straight up and used a 4x4 and a bottle jack. Took it slow, heard a buch of creaking, mostly from the wood. It took 2 or 3 trys to get it, had to keep checking the backbone. 10-15 minutes later, had the backbone perfectly straight. Now the new fender clears the engine. Didn't bend the sheet metal on the frame at all, not even a scatch. When compared to my straight '85, I only had to to bend the backbone a half inch (measured from a spot on the head to neck of the frame). Sorry, no pics. I didn't feel like waiting for the battery to charge on the camera.

I guess we'll see if it bends back after I ride the crap out of it this season!

Good to hear this worked perfectly for you!

Im going to have to try this on my quad.

Same here....thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback.

I just want to thank you guys for the info on straightening the frame. This was pretty easy to do. Just had to take my time. Had to compensate for the spring back factor. One bonus, it straightened the steering out stop also. I was thinking about reinforcing this part of the frame seeing how easy it was to bend back. I can't wait to put my big butt on it probably would have bent back without me even having to repair it. What do you guys think about welding a half round (or third round so the tank will fit) under the length tube? Do you think it will add any strength?

Nice job... and thanks for sharing.

Are you doing that in your living room or kitchen?

Living room. My wife gets a little aggitated with me always in the garage. So I said to her one day last week "Honey I have a project that is going to bring us closer together." Literally, she's like five feet from me on the couch. She'll learn next time maybe with me in the garage it's not so bad. Now if I could just figure out a way to get the sandrail through the front doors.

Very cool, i was thinking you had a pimped out garage

Oh heck no! Not in the living room. The frame looks great, but if it were me I would rather you be in the garage.

i heard that cky guy is gay but idk

(Tres had my 70 for the 88kit install) and he pointed out a few "flaws" I needed to address....the frame was something I wouldn't have noticed..

I just used this technique this weekend , it was easy, quick and worked perfectly...

Now I need a straight set of forks...

A few things to check, make sure the handle bar stop is straighten as well. You do not want to get those nasty dings on the tank. Also use a straight edge to validate top tube is straight. Need anything we are all here for ya!

thanks man

hello!

Any advice on how to fix this bended frame? the bent is from the other side!!

I'm new owner to the atc70 trikes and this is the start of my project

Thanks


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Put it back together and ride it into a wall/fence/tree/parked car..................?
Just kidding... You need to find someone with a hydrolic press.