Need input about crack

Don't ask me why I didn't notice this when I bought it (DOH!) but just noticed this crack in the right side... uh brace? Not sure what its called.

Is this serious? (Haven't noticed anything while riding it the past week).

Tell me what you guys think and what is this part called?

<img src = "http://www.frontiernet.net/~kontiki/close.jpg">

 

Hmmm in line HTML doesn't work...

well here's a link to two pics of the cracked part:

http://www.frontiernet.net/~kontiki/close.jpg
http://www.frontiernet.net/~kontiki/closer.jpg

Thanks for any input.

 

Myself, I would be replacing it since I think it is a main brace for the rear brake lever (I'm a newb so I could be wrong). The part I believe is actually the rear footpeg bracket.

 

I think it's called the foot peg bracket. For future reference, you can get the compufiche exploded diagrams of your bike with the parts list at this link: http://www.yamahaaccy.com/parts.aspx Just put in your model and year and it'll do the rest. I've found this sit pretty useful. Don't know what something's for, don't know what something's called, you might be able to figure it out with the aid of this site. I know I have.

So, the bracket: I don't think it is structurally important, so the bike shouldn't fall into pieces the next bump you hit. But, for safety's sake, make sure your or your passanger's foot pegs are secure.

 

Gentlemen... thanks for the reply... and for the name of this part. With that I did a couple of Ebay searches ... and weirdly... I found this XJ650 Maxim for sale (looks nice) so of course I had to look at the pictures.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-M ... dZViewItem

But if you scroll down and look at the right side it looks like a crack in the same spot as mine on the rights side footpeg bracket... where the foot brake shaft passes through. Hmmm I wonder if this is not an uncommon occurrence.

BTW its pretty cool to be riding down the road and pass another bike and get the "special wave" (i.e. biker secret handshake hehe)

 

That bracket supports the shaft for the brake pedal. I'd replace it or get it welded up.

 

Mine has the same crack. It is because the rear end got bent, typically when dropped on that side. I've not gotten around to straightening out the frame member yet since I don't have a firm place to brace it against nor the extended bar I would need to perform the tweak. Take a look from the back of the bike up the side there and see if you don't see a slight bend.

 

I looked... I don't notice any bend but hey.... I am no expert (it took me a week to notice that crack to begin with!). It sounds plausible though.

If that is true, then replacing that part would not work since it would not line up some how?

 

Looking at your pics Kontiki, it doesn't look like it supports your brake lever shaft. If it supported the shaft it would have to fit tightly. I think I can see clearance between the shaft and the bracket. Plus, aluminum is too soft to stand up to a steel shaft. The bracket would need a brass or steel bushing.

 

Just looked at my bike. Could be wrong about it not being a brake shaft support. Didn't look all that hard though, and different model.

 

The aluminum piece is simply a rest for the foot pegs and a mounting point for the exhaust. The brake lever passes through a generous hole cast in the bracket.
I would agree that you should not replace the part until you get the attaching flange straightened out. I had my part TIG welded and it cracked again within days. Get the cause fixed, then move on to the symptoms.

 

After a lot of study and analysis of the situation I don't think anything is bent at all (at least on my bike). I think the design of that particular bracket, the quality (or lack thereof) of the metal and its location lends itself to cracking on the right side, at its weakest point there where the brake shaft passes through.

I note that the SECA footpeg braket ends right there and does not extend forward (with the brake shaft passing through it) like the Maxim. Anyway, I am not gonna worry about it. I think its a high stress area and with the right vibration and/or bump is likely to crack right there at that thin point. The part is not structural (other than as a mount for the foot peg).

~Scott