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Dommi 88 restoration

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Hello,  I am just beginning a full restoration on a 1953 Dommi 88. During the cleaning process I discovered some rather severe damage to the front frame upright tubes. An associate of mine commented that these may not be accident damage and could possibly be original due to manufacturing procedures back then. This may be plausible as I know that quality control in England back then was not all that great. I’ve restored three Austin Healey’s and they are trouble.  So, looking for some insight into this and whether it should be repaired or left alone. 

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From your photographs Stephanie it looks like accident damage. Thea early Dommi frames were notorious for cracking around the headstock. If it was my frame I would definitely seek out a good frame specialist to have it checked and make good if necessary.

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I am building up a 1953 Model 88 with a built up rear frame. My frame looks similar to yours and it looks like mine was crashed at some stage in its life. I  picked my problem when the front engine plate bolts just would not fit the frame when bolting in the engine. 

There was also a crack in the gusset plate weld. 

Run a straight edge along the front tubes and check that they are not pushed in. 

I also have difficulty in fitting the toolbox. 

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Checkout Andover Norton for a good selection of repair sections for featherbeds.

Some of the steels used need to be brazed, not welded, worth checking.

 

 

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Definitely well bent and I don't think that heating and straightening will be too useful. The nearly good news is that Andover Norton do 10" and 5" lengths of 1.25" O.D. frame tubing for cutting and splicing in - professionally!  £7.95 & £4.95 +VAT respectively.

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The steering head will be bent back,shortenning the wheelbase and making  contact  likely between front wheel and frame  on heavy braking,   nasty !.

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I have found a shop locally that repairs bent motorcycle frames. Will start there to get their opinion/advice. Hope to not need to cut and weld new tubes. But will do so if that is the only solution. 

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If you go for the straightening, then they will need to check the whole of the frame, just because there is damage visible does not mean that is all the damage, cracks can happen elsewhere as result of the impact.  

 


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