WTF

[1600]

Hey guys, long time no see...

I 've almost recovered from my last accident...took me a while...6 months... ...but now back to bussiness...and I started a thorough check control of damages on my little precious



I had finally made a decision, to buy a cheap used 2kf (with a broken motor but a decent frame-chassis) and transplant my -not even burned in rebuilded engine- plus all of my major upgrades I 've put in my beloved first love.....YZ upsid_own, TT600S Ohlins shock, 43f aluminium swingarm fitted with rear disc...fuck yeahhh..., devil_ish headpipe exhaust accompanied by my ex Thunderace's carbon can, TTR600 bigger carbs 30PV > 27PV, my brembo brakes...blah-blah-blah...etc...

Although I 'd prefer an early TT 600 (59X-36A) frame...or something even better, I 'll have to stick with a "same" model frame-engine marriage (in a 2KF frame there must be Only 2KF****** engine numbers) cause it's the easier and "more" legit way to fit another engine into an other frame, at least here, in...under siege...Greece.

Anyway, found something arround my town, got there, check it and.....what the fuck is that???





Somebody in Iwata was drunk? when he was doing the weldings on the backbone?.....hhmmm.....pretty interesting.....I rushed back to my house just to see, if also my bike, had that...fault?

Oh yes...my 1989 2KF has the same "mismatch" of the "side bones" on their weldings to the backbone.....Double checked already (mine and the others guy I went to buy) starting to looking into the net for photos to compare...

Well, after triple and quadraple and...you got the point...precise examination of the data... ...case solved.....The XT 600 2KF needs realignment of the frame weldings...ASAP...

I watched a lot of pictures...tons of 'em...this specific problem belongs only to the "2KF" model, strictly. Every 2KF in the net, when it's stripped and the photo angle is the proper one, you can clearly see that terrible mistake.

Every other model of the "XT 600" range...34L-55W-1VJ-3AJ-43F...and also the "TT 600" 59X-36A...NoOne...I repeat...NoOne of them, faces such a big failure, in the most critical part of a vehicle...the frame!

I am so, so dissapointed, about that finding, and really...I dont know if I want to keep bothering with my bike.....frustration is smooth term.....devastation is the real word!

I am stuck with a highly tuned engine...lots of money -at least- for my standards...that I can't use it -by the law- in another different model of the XT 600 range, and that I am only able to use the "2KF frame"...the bent one...

I dont know if Yamaha is aware of it, or even if...it's made on purpose...although cant find a reason about it...anyway....."it isn't enough to BE a good bike, you MUST show it"...


...Did I tell you how excited and proud I am about my bike?...

[Bernieboy]

Very Observant. Check between your legs? The left one always hangs lower than the right!!!

[Fred333]

Hi... ääh 1600,
maybe it´s because of the carburetor?
Your model seems to have the diaphragma carbi.
The old models have a mechanical solution which seems to be smaller in diameter.
But that´s just a guess...
Strange!
Olli

[1600]

I can assure you, that this "specific welding"...Does Not serve for any better at all, about the carbs. In fact, had done it worse, cause that left "side-bone" tube, is even closer to the left carb and that for sure creates more problems (in handling and setting the carb) than solves some of 'em. And as I can recollect the hard time I had, when I was trying to fit the carbs in the inlet joints (no room at all in the area....instead, extra tiny), I can now figure the reason I and my mechanic guy were struggling to get the job done. Really...

I am almost sure, that this is a classic "factory hardware failure in the production line" due to "imperfect technical control". As a matter of fact, the so-so most legendary and worthy XT 600 model, the 2KF, did have the shortest living of the whole range models (almost 2 years of production).

Strange, ehh?


PS. I was wrong about only "2KF" been unique with that "out of line" welding. That's Mezo's bike, "3AJ" Tenere...

[Mezo]

34L`s don`t have it i checked.

Mezo.

[1600]

I think that the problem exists in specific "years of production".

The 3AJ, was (lets say) similar enough with the 2KF. It was "upgraded" with the Iron swingarm and with the rear brake disc, just as the 2KF was, in comparison to the previous 43F with the rear drum.

We also know that they 've been produced in the same period (3AJ from 1988 and so on).

I dont -Really- know, in which way, this mismatched alignement of the tubes welding, can affect the neutral-straight line, that a vehicle needs for driving. I dont know...but I wanna find out it.....

[Shano]

Hmmm, I'd be very careful chopping up the frame and rewelding it, apart from being a major job. What is moving that frame member going to impact on - it certainly looks like the carburettor will no longer fit (although photos can be deceiving and I don't have a spare Tenere sitting here to check). Will that tank fit back on if you move that piece of the frame? Danged sneaky those Japanese engineers, they have a habit of doing things like that for a reason.

Given that those frame members are largely subjected to tension/compression loadings, the fact that they don't exactly line up would have negligable effect - and they are welded to a substantial backbone so there is plenty of strength in that area.

[ActionManMelb]

Yamaha don't make mistakes on a production bike.
There will be a reason for this....we just have to figure it out.

DO NOT MODIFY YOUR FRAME.

[1600]

First of all...please...dont get me wrong...I didnt write all that stuff, just for spoiling Yamaha.
Fact is that this welding is wrong. I think it's more than obvious. And I get so mad, cause I ride Only Yamaha and do not like to feel cheated. Besides if I didnt care enough, most possible and easier way, would be to sell of my wrecked bike and just buy another brand model. Dont know if you catch my drift, but truth is, I am more sad, than pissed off.

Anyway, and as regarding the weldings...oh no...I have no intention at all to cut and remake any weldings. I agree with you, thats some factory expertised-skilled job. My previous..."ASAP"...in the post, was a metaphore, trying to depict the necessity of an alignment. That's all.

PS. of course and I will find out what' s going on with that tubes weldings, and preferably by an official statement...

[Danjet600]

Yamaha don't make mistakes on a production bike.
There will be a reason for this....we just have to figure it out.

DO NOT MODIFY YOUR FRAME.

+1 got to be a reason for it