Ted's Straightleg Frames

[wideglide38]

Has anyone had any experience with Ted's '54-'57 Straight Leg Frame? I wondered how it was for form, fit, function?

http://www.vtwinmfg.com/webapp/wcs/s...102_3359652_-1

Thanks,
William

[kitabel]

Not a direct reply to your question, but...
Ted has somewhat of a reputation for rude conversation, late delivery, bad service, and bad products. Is this frame a problem? I don't know - but I wouldn't buy one, even if I saw it in person.

[Hercumile]

I can only speak of one I got my hands on about 12 years ago.
The engine mounts were so far off that when any of my Pan or shovel cases or my dedicated fixture was placed into the frame with the two rear 3/8 bolts in place, only ¼ bolts would pass through the front holes.
I could go on and on about how virtually no dimensions were correct, welds were ran circumferentially when the application called for longitudinal , no lower seat post bushing provision etc. etc. but the bottom line is, even if this frame had been functional, there are still a lot of differences between repop and the real thing that become apparent when you set them side by side.
If you buy one, mock up your bike immediately so you can send it back if need be.
After disclosing the shortcomings of the frame I had, I ended up selling it at a swap meet for a loss and repaired the original.

[larry]

I purchased a V-Twin straightleg frame about 20 years ago when they were made in Connecticut. It required some work to make it usable, but I've been riding it ever since with no issues. I have seen frames from that era that were simply not worth repairing. The frames are now made in Asia, and I can't speak of them. Mr. Kitabel's comments are worth consideration.

[kitabel]

"Asia" per se is certainly not a problem.
However, the manufacturer knows that the customers are 10,000 miles away, and they will not have to make any refunds.

[vph-d]

I used one about 8 years ago, there were some minor problems, but the bike is still on the road.
VPH-D

[wideglide38]

Thanks to all for your comments. I had heard of these issues on older manufactured frames and wondered if Ted had stepped up in quality for later production frames. My inclination is to continue hunting for an original frame - even if repairs are needed.

[duffeycycles]

In the end your bike will be worth much more with an original frame.I have built a knuck from an earlier Tedds frame with little frame issues...the bike sold for 10 grand less than it would have with original frame !!!!

[Robert Luland]

Thanks to all for your comments. I had heard of these issues on older manufactured frames and wondered if Ted had stepped up in quality for later production frames. My inclination is to continue hunting for an original frame - even if repairs are needed.

You got a better chance of seeing Jesus Christ

[ammorest]

Couple years ago a friend asked me to build him a bobber.He had a 62 pan bottom end with a shovel top end in a custom rigid frame with a long glide fork. We got a V-Twin wishbone frame, offset springer fork, bobbed fenders, shorty mufflers, and other assorted parts. Here are some of the issues: Frame: 1. tank mount holes way off. Had a pair of NOS 78 FX tanks that fit an original frame perfectly. Had to elongate the upper holes in the tanks and add metal to the lower frame mount. 2. Rear rocker box hit the frame top motor mount Had to grind frame for clearance. 3. Had to grind frame at front transmission mount for left brake crossover lever. 4. Had to grind out clearance for front lower kickstand bolt nut. 5. Speedometer cable hole too small. Had to grind out bigger. 6. Oil tank mount holes drilled and tapped crooked.
Fork: Rear legs not aligned, axle would not go through rockers. Slipped a pipe over the leg and gave it a jerk. Lined it up. (good metal, huh?) Fenders: Front fender holes for fork tabs so far off I had to remake them. Front of front fender way off to one side. Rear fender: chainguard bracket slot would not let chainguard line up with primary/oil tank holes . Mufflers: Shorty mufflers were sloppy on the exhaust pipes. Made sleeves to take up the space. These were all Taiwan parts.
But their USA made rear chainguard was perfect. These are the defects I can remember. I'm sure there were more.
Saw Ted at Oley. Told him about all the problems and he acted surprised. Of course no offer of any compensation. I probably have at least 20 hours making this stuff usable. You have been warned.
Dave

[kitabel]

Needless to say, many of these mistakes could have been (at least) caught by a 10 minute walk-around by many people here, and we may only hope at least one person in Ted's factory.
The ones I don't like is where you think you got it all rightpaint and assemble it, and it won't go straight.

O/T, but I just experienced a disappointment in the opposite direction: a small volume manufacturer of hot rod car parts. The stuff is like jewelry, QC 100%, completely functional, solves many complex install problems. Bad: he has absolutely no concept of the forces in play, no engineering or math at all. Oh well.

[Chris Haynes]

I bought an American Made V-Twin frame. Axle plates were cocked. An easy fix. Top motor/gas tank mount had the be removed and re positioned. Still not a big deal. When I was installing the electric start trans case and inner primary I was all ready to elongate the holes that attach the inner to the engine case. As it turns out the center section of the frame was set up like a Panhead so all lined up with no modification. Their error made life easier on me.

[Hack]

here you go. 55 pan frame, looks nice.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Ha...aca9%7Ciid%3A1

[Omarttentmaker]

I got a question/observation re/the frame for sale on Ebay. Wondering about the cross piece that's welded behind where the oil bag sits. Did original frames have the "saddles" that wrap around the two top tubes that run parallel to the rear of the frame? Or was that a factory deletion in later rigid frames because they were welded instead of brazed? My'55 frame has the saddles, and is stamped "J4" at the gas tank/top motor mount tab. I suppose anyone could have hammered the stamp in, but all the other coined hallmarks are on the frame. Anybody wanna chime in?

[1950Panhead]

Wondering about the cross piece that's welded behind where the oil bag sits. Did original frames have the "saddles" that wrap around the two top tubes that run parallel to the rear of the frame?

Knuckle frames have saddles, pan frames are welded