Help me do detective work on these welds!

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I picked this up this weekend and it looked to be absolutely mint! Clean clean cleanThe only thing I noticed that was out of place was this support bracket for the rear caliper that was rewelded.Here is the other side of it, kind of hard to see, but it was welded at both sides. Maybe someone hit a big bump, I don't know.So upon closer inspection, I'm a little skeptical. The bike is showroom clean, runs like a top and has ZERO issues. Clean title too. However some of these welds don't look factory. Or maybe it was built on a friday, what are your opinions?This next one I know for sure was rewelded because the foot peg on the other side isn't welded it was casted that way.What do you think?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:OUCH! Looks like that bike was hit from behind and had the frame "repaired"! The welds look ok but being a bike rider myself the whole idea scares me. I would replace the whole frame and swing arm.
Reply:Ride it.  Check for cracks once in a while.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Originally Posted by PangeaRide it.  Check for cracks once in a while.
Reply:hey, I got the same yoshi can on my wife's bike. change the brake caliper thingie with a aftermarket part (at least for looks)some of the welds are factory and some look like a repair job... just ride it.most important... buy a Yamaha --------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:I have an offer on it and it's not even for sale lol. I'm going to keep riding it, but if my brothers friend is serious and I can score a deal on a newer bike I might sell it.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by Donoharmhey, I got the same yoshi can on my wife's bike. change the brake caliper thingie with a aftermarket part (at least for looks)some of the welds are factory and some look like a repair job... just ride it.most important... buy a Yamaha
Reply:Here are some pics of the welds on my SV650 for comparison.I KNOW that this bike has had no welding done to it. I agree ride the piss out of it and check the welds for cracks once in awhile (you should be doing that anyway right  )Nice looking bike BTW, those pink graphics and blue wheels would have to go tho. If you cant fix it with a hammer, it must be an electrical problem."Boy, everyone starts with a full bag of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before the bag of luck is empty."-Grandad circa 1990ish
Reply:Wow I would expect better welds for that, it's an 03?Some people love the wheels and some people hate it. The bike is seriously mint. I found a paint chip the size of a pen tip on the tank and it took me awhile to find it. Haven't found a scratch that won't buff out yet.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:They all look, like factory welds to me from the pictures. Picture #2 is a factory weld, I know it don't look like it but the end is cast and pushed in the tube then plug welded.We don't do this in the US, let alone a repair. You got to remember the bike may be clean now but it was for sale so it was cleaned. The welds were not cleaned as well as the rest of the bike. They have brake dust, road dirt and grim in them. Clean them with a tooth brush and some soap and hot water and see the differnce.Nice bike www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleWow I would expect better welds for that, it's an 03?Some people love the wheels and some people hate it. The bike is seriously mint. I found a paint chip the size of a pen tip on the tank and it took me awhile to find it. Haven't found a scratch that won't buff out yet.
Reply:That GSXR looks like a 1991. I had a 1992, same bike different color. The welds in pics 7, 8 & 10, of the upper frame, definately look factory from what I remember. I wouldn't worry too much. Like others said, just keep and eye on it. I was actually just looking for a good pic of this bike. I wanted to post a question about it. I hope you don't mind if I borrow your pics??? My swingarm was stretched 4 1/2". The weld was then ground smooth, because I did not want to see it. I thought it looked bad on stretched bikes. I wanted to know if that was a no no. Obviously, I am still here, and the guy that welded it was the guy that did it for all the local shops. Awesome bike! I miss mine ALOT!"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Feel free to use the pic. I joined the GSXR forum and everyone there is telling me that all the welds, including #2 picture are factory. So now I feel a lot better about the bike.Edit: it's a 92.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by larpheadHere are some pics of the welds on my SV650 for comparison.I KNOW that this bike has had no welding done to it. I agree ride the piss out of it and check the welds for cracks once in awhile (you should be doing that anyway right  )Nice looking bike BTW, those pink graphics and blue wheels would have to go tho.
Reply:Its only a brake lever that got reworked? Stands to reason frame is fine. I welded a set of handlebars back to a steering stem well before I learned my limitations. Zuki QS230 held up for another two years of trail abuse before my junk welds failed again...Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeI wouldnt make fun of his graphics bud, your bike has training wheels on it!!!!!!!! AhhhhhHaaaaaHaaaaa! Sorry, couldnt resist
Reply:What you didn't beleave me when I told you they were factory welds?????????????????????????????????????????????  ??????????????????????????????????????????????????  ??????????????????????????????????????????????????  ??????????????????????????????????????????????????  ??????????????????????????????????????????????????  ??????????????????????????????????????????????????  ??????????????????????????????????????????????????  ?????????????????????www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleFeel free to use the pic. I joined the GSXR forum and everyone there is telling me that all the welds, including #2 picture are factory. So now I feel a lot better about the bike.Edit: it's a 92.
Reply:If you get a chance to sell it - sell itEither that or have the welds inspected with NDT.  They will indicate what is what.  Visual doesn't work as it could look great but be a crap weld.  With that said - the welds look good enough to be done by a pro.Still recommend the NDT in the high stress areas at least.You willing to bet your life?
Reply:This all is proof of what I have been saying for years. Japanese quality is not and has not been as great as everybody has been brainwashed to believe.
Reply:Well since you bumped this thread I'll update you all.Dropped the bike off at the shop to have some work doneBrake flushnew front padsnew spark plugsoil changecleaned air filternew front and rear tiresand factory pro stage 3 dyno jet kit! Booya!It's a whole new bike!Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:The thing with the GSXR's is that a lot of guys will strip the plastics off of em and use them to learn to stunt a bike. Beat things up a little, swap out the broke parts, put the clean pristine body back on and sell it as a clean bike. Yours does look good though
Reply:They had to take it apart for carbs and such and said they were still surprised how clean it was. So it makes me feel good. I put it on CL for now for $5k just for $hits and giggles. Trying to prove my neighbor wrong he thinks the bike is only worth 1k and says putting 1k of work in it was a waste. However last month he was telling me knows nothing about bikes anyway. silly kid.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer