Crooked frame?
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- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2022 10:00 pm
- Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 Suzuki Boulevard C50
1985 GL1200 Aspencade
1984 GL1200 Aspencade
Crooked frame?
Hello everyone! It's my first post here. I'm Kuba and I live in Mississauga, ON.
Last years I bought my first Goldwing, 85 aspen. Later on I realized I may need some more plastics and stuff and found another one, 84 aspen that was very cheap, great deal.
I had another project back then, but since it's all finish I started to work on my Wings.
85 was daily running bike when I bought it but needs some attention here and there Nothing uncommon or complicated. I'm the kind of guy who wants have vehicles in 100% working order before I hit the road and call it a day.
Here is what I discovered... Rear wheel seemed not inline with the rest of the bike. After taking the rear end off I need to say there's no signs of bent, cracked or welded frame... wheel bearings are fine, swing arm bearings are also tight, nothing looks suspicious. I also measured if both wheels are in one line, and they aren't. Rear should be placed 5/16" to the left side. Also checking the top of the bike with a straight line shows a problem. I have no clue what else can be bad or what else should I do to make sure the problem is somewhere else.
Worst case scenario is I'll start working on 84 parts bike, that is straight, has rebuilt heads and new head gaskets but was never completed and fired since he put them back. Never attempted to put belt back, rad and other stuff due to age and lack of space and will to do so.
What do you guys think about that "bad frame"?
Last years I bought my first Goldwing, 85 aspen. Later on I realized I may need some more plastics and stuff and found another one, 84 aspen that was very cheap, great deal.
I had another project back then, but since it's all finish I started to work on my Wings.
85 was daily running bike when I bought it but needs some attention here and there Nothing uncommon or complicated. I'm the kind of guy who wants have vehicles in 100% working order before I hit the road and call it a day.
Here is what I discovered... Rear wheel seemed not inline with the rest of the bike. After taking the rear end off I need to say there's no signs of bent, cracked or welded frame... wheel bearings are fine, swing arm bearings are also tight, nothing looks suspicious. I also measured if both wheels are in one line, and they aren't. Rear should be placed 5/16" to the left side. Also checking the top of the bike with a straight line shows a problem. I have no clue what else can be bad or what else should I do to make sure the problem is somewhere else.
Worst case scenario is I'll start working on 84 parts bike, that is straight, has rebuilt heads and new head gaskets but was never completed and fired since he put them back. Never attempted to put belt back, rad and other stuff due to age and lack of space and will to do so.
What do you guys think about that "bad frame"?
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- Posts: 68
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2022 9:44 am
- Location: Alabama
- Motorcycle: 1987 GL1200 Interstate
1984 GL1200 Aspencade
1980 CM400A
Re: Crooked frame?
There’s lots of folks here that’ll be able to give you much better information than me. But it appears to me like someone took the rear tire off and didn’t put it back together correctly. Like some spacer is on the wrong side.
- Bike...and Dennis
- Posts: 232
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2018 2:33 pm
- Location: Glendale, Arizona
- Motorcycle: 1987 GL1200I
Re: Crooked frame?
Please post close-ups of the axle on both sides. I agree that it's probably a spacer problem.
- Ohara
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:05 am
- Location: Ontario Canada
- Motorcycle: 1986 Interstate
1986 Aspencade
Re: Crooked frame?
Was thinking spacers as well
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- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2022 10:00 pm
- Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 Suzuki Boulevard C50
1985 GL1200 Aspencade
1984 GL1200 Aspencade
Re: Crooked frame?
I can take it apart after work and take all photos needed. What I've checked before on a diff side was only one long spacer, then seal was missing, then was bearing, spacer between bearings, then left side bearing, then seal and spacer (with collar), collar touched the caliper mount and then exactly same spacer pointed other direction, also the collalar on the mount side.
- Bike...and Dennis
- Posts: 232
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2018 2:33 pm
- Location: Glendale, Arizona
- Motorcycle: 1987 GL1200I
Re: Crooked frame?
I'd like to see pics of what it is there now.
Remember; a picture is worth a thousand texts.
Remember; a picture is worth a thousand texts.
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- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2022 10:00 pm
- Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 Suzuki Boulevard C50
1985 GL1200 Aspencade
1984 GL1200 Aspencade
Re: Crooked frame?
Just got to my little heaven and took it apart once more and will leave it this way for now just in case some of you have some idea and wants to see more pics or measurements. I am really out of ideas... Really wanna move forward with the project.
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- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2022 10:00 pm
- Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 Suzuki Boulevard C50
1985 GL1200 Aspencade
1984 GL1200 Aspencade
Re: Crooked frame?
I have all the manuals.. Claymer, Haynes, Honda... The pic from part store doesn't show brake bracket, another spacer behind it, nor the big one that sits on diff side. Hard to figure out what can be wrong. Looks like all the parts are there and that they are in correct order. Bearings seem to sit where they should. Also measured deep diff side bearing sits and looks like when goes into diff it will not go all the way down but will have maybe 3/16" to 1/4" space which makes sens.
I'll bring laser beam from my friend soon to measure some point on frame.
I'll bring laser beam from my friend soon to measure some point on frame.
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- Posts: 68
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2022 9:44 am
- Location: Alabama
- Motorcycle: 1987 GL1200 Interstate
1984 GL1200 Aspencade
1980 CM400A
Re: Crooked frame?
Just thinking out loud. Maybe the wheel and frame are fine and it’s just the fender that’s making it look out of whack. From the pics I see, it doesn’t look like that’s it. However, if the fender was pulled left, it would make the tire seem to be pulled right.
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- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2022 10:00 pm
- Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 Suzuki Boulevard C50
1985 GL1200 Aspencade
1984 GL1200 Aspencade
Re: Crooked frame?
Just grabbed a fancy laser from my friend and the plan is, tomorrow I'll take the faux tank of and maybe that rear inner fender as well, and will flash that laser thru the very center of the front of the frame and all symmetrical tabs and other stuff on the frame. Also will check wheel alignment the more accurate way with that laser. I think I may have a good idea how to do it pretty precise.
If anyone has a different suggestion, please help me out. I wanna ride a Wing! Thank you everyone for your support!
Will update tomorrow.
If anyone has a different suggestion, please help me out. I wanna ride a Wing! Thank you everyone for your support!
Will update tomorrow.
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- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2022 10:00 pm
- Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 Suzuki Boulevard C50
1985 GL1200 Aspencade
1984 GL1200 Aspencade
Re: Crooked frame?
Laser shows the same result as choke line, but I could take measurements easier. I also leveled the bike before running the line. Here are some pics and link to youtube video. My measurements show that all the major points are symmetrical (fairing, handlebar, upper and lower shock mounts). The results for now is the rear fender isn't straight and probably rear rack as well. Before taking apart the rear end, I meant bags and trunk look way to the left and also kinda left side was higher from the ground. Maybe it's just that very tail mounting holes tabs bent to the left? I also wanna do better wheel alignment. I did one today, but I think the method wasn't perfect and that's why I thought they're not in one line before. Maybe I should pull out my 84, take the rear apart and see how 85 look with other rack and fender.
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Never miss a video: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel today!
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- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2022 10:00 pm
- Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 Suzuki Boulevard C50
1985 GL1200 Aspencade
1984 GL1200 Aspencade
Re: Crooked frame?
LAST UPDATE!
If anyone still following, I'd just like to let you know that I've checked wheel alignment with string method and result is, they're exactly in line.
Going further I disassembled my 84 and put the good fender on the crooked one and I'm sorry to say but look that bike had an accident and rear top tail of the frame is probably bent.
I think to restore my parts bike (84). It needs more work but at least it has professionally redone heads by previous owner and it's nice and straight. Maybe one day I'll find some cheap not running and devastated 85 that I can buy to pull the frame off for another project.
Thanks for those who had a will to help me here!
If anyone still following, I'd just like to let you know that I've checked wheel alignment with string method and result is, they're exactly in line.
Going further I disassembled my 84 and put the good fender on the crooked one and I'm sorry to say but look that bike had an accident and rear top tail of the frame is probably bent.
I think to restore my parts bike (84). It needs more work but at least it has professionally redone heads by previous owner and it's nice and straight. Maybe one day I'll find some cheap not running and devastated 85 that I can buy to pull the frame off for another project.
Thanks for those who had a will to help me here!
- Bike...and Dennis
- Posts: 232
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2018 2:33 pm
- Location: Glendale, Arizona
- Motorcycle: 1987 GL1200I
Re: Crooked frame?
I have an '85 frame but it won't fit in one of the available Postal Service boxes.
Got any other ideas?

Got any other ideas?
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- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2022 10:00 pm
- Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 Suzuki Boulevard C50
1985 GL1200 Aspencade
1984 GL1200 Aspencade
Re: Crooked frame?
Need to wait for something really cheap and neglected appears at local ads. But at least I have that 84. Needs much more work, but still... I'm happy to have it atm.
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 23614
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer - Contact:
Re: Crooked frame?
I'd be tempted to rig up some pulleys/snatch blocks and see if it could be pulled back into alignment.
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- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2022 10:00 pm
- Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 Suzuki Boulevard C50
1985 GL1200 Aspencade
1984 GL1200 Aspencade
Re: Crooked frame?
I believe it's doable. Was thinking to try with heat as I got some experience from work. The problem is my garage has some limitations. The whole procedure would need to be quite precise in measurements to avoid a guess work. If I had no other option, I'd really do it. As I have another bike I'd rather put some more mechanical work and make it rideable. I spent way too much time on trying to figure out what's wrong and I got really tired of it atm. Hope my 84 is worth the effort. If not, I'll reuse frame and swap the rest of the crooked bike. I'll go with the flow 
