As I mentioned, the bike came with a much later K0 frame (29xxx). Finding a correct frame (within 300 of the engine number I am told) took almost nine months. After about five months, I found a sand cast frame in Texas #2685. Not technically correct, but it was the first sand cast frame I came across. I bought it thinking it was my only chance. The seller did a great job packing it:
The frame was in great condition, so I set it aside as I searched for more parts.
About four months after that, frame #1387 appeared on ebay. I won it and had a correct frame! Of course, it wasn’t that simple. The passenger peg drops on the frame had been damaged. They were still there, but a portion of the tubing was was crunched; they needed to be replaced. I was able to scavenge the correct tubing from the K0 frame that the engine came with. Tack welded into place:
The trick was to make sure that the exhaust lined up perfectly when the engine was mounted (with gaskets installed):
By the way, did you know that the eyelets that connect to the exhausts and passenger foot pegs are welded to the tubing in different ways? Take a look...
Frame #2685 (same on the #1387):
K0 frame (#29xxx):
See how the horizontal tubing on the K0 is welded to the eyelet while the sandcast frame horizontal tubing is welded above the eyelet? Who knew?! Well, I didn't
Anyway, the newly welded frame fits up perfectly. I also did a quick fix on the side stand mount. Now its ready to be blasted and painted. I'll come back to that later.
Next...the engine cases!