Motorcycle frame fabrication: weld or bend?

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I’m planning to build a motorcycle frame in the trellis style. 1018 dom, tig weld, etc.Most of a trellis frame is straight tube, but theres almost always a few bends here and there. Heres an example:

The area I’m concerned about the most is where the tubes meet the steering head.The side tubes have to be wide to wrap around the engine (basically a perimeter style frame), hence the need to bring them in to meet the steering head. What I’m wondering is if the tubes have to be bent or if I can cut and weld short tubes to bridge that area. I have access to the equipment to either bend or weld, although welding would be more convenient as the tube bending equipment is at another place (a friend's business) and would take two or three days to make the round trip and do the work.But with welding I’m concerned the weld might introduce a weak spot or possibly compromise the stiffness of the frame.I can see where the bend would be beneficial in reducing production time, but I’m only building a frame for myself and time isn’t really a factor. But structural soundness of the frame is.Anyone have any experience in this area and have any advice to give?Last edited by gr8twhite; 14 Hours Ago at 01:33 PM.
Reply:Never done this, this is waaaaaay over my pay grade!   Usually guys doing this have a jig take to keeps stuff strait.   Be cheaper to  just buy a Ducati....We've done so much, for so long, with so little. Were now qualified to do anything with nothing !
Reply:

Originally Posted by welding1

Never done this, this is waaaaaay over my pay grade!   Usually guys doing this have a jig take to keeps stuff strait.   Be cheaper to  just buy a Ducati....
Reply:I think a project like that deserves to be done right. Bend everything you can.  The time it takes will be a very small fraction of the project as a whole.My name's not Jim....