Author Topic: Finally got my paws on a 5500...... (Read 4617 times)

proflexGB · « **on:** August 08, 2003, 07:27:50 am »

Hi chaps,

Well it finally turned up from the states after 7 weeks!, a grubby, molested, un-loved 5500 front triangle :-/ .
Muddy, with peeling stickers and a loud rattle inside, but worst of all an injury..... [smiley=depressed.gif]

So cleaned it up got the rattling pop rivet ends out, and took some pics of the "damage".

My question to you all is do I need to worry about the damage,- how do I know/test if it is structural or superficial?, I have installed a swing arm off another evo,( I have two more!) and tried levering it from side to side but the crack doesn't open up and there is no flex.

As the frame came without a swing arm is this crack evidence of the swing arm being ripped off in a crash and it left the crack as it happened?

To be honest I don't think it will affect the bike at all, anyway I have no choice but to build it up and ride it to see how it goes!, fingers crossed as I can't send it all the way back to the US. [smiley=worry.gif] What a wanker that guy was for not telling me in advance.... he is the same guy who sold Yellow Oz his 4500, he had this frame as a spare which I negociated buying separately it was originally included with the 4500 on ebay. I expect he may be on this forum. [smiley=furious.gif]

Here are some pics (have a look at my gallery).....

http://idriders.com/cgi-bin/album_k2.pl?photo=proflexGB/5500_crack1.jpg

http://idriders.com/cgi-bin/album_k2.pl?photo=proflexGB/Resize_of_5500__evo2.jpg

BTW I have been busy as I have also bought a large 4000 and had it sprayed, as well as new bits including a set of FOX Float 80RL forks. Thought about the coluors and went for orange in the end, looks good in the flesh, note the slicks at the mo!!!

Cheers guys

Rawwill · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2003, 11:23:58 am »

i dunno man...having such a crack near the rear piviot might be kinda dangerous...it might still ride but don`t go bombing down and hills...by the way the proflex look pretty good..

Matno · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2003, 03:57:20 pm »

Yeah, that could be dangerous all right. Deep down, I know that I would probably ride it anyway and hope for the best, but it's certainly risky. At the very least, I would fill in the crack as well as possible with some good strong epoxy. Hopefully that will help to eliminate whatever "stress riser" might exist there, and prevent further cracking. Might not look too pretty, but hey, you already have a crack, right?!

I would certainly try to get at least some of your money back from the seller, if possible. Unless he's a total jerk/thief, he should at least acknowledge that there is a problem and offer some sort of solution.

I would also carefully inspect the crack before and after EVERY ride, (and maybe even during) just to make sure it's not getting worse.

Scott · « **Reply #3 on:** August 09, 2003, 12:45:19 pm »

Maybe it's possible to buy some sheet c.f. and shape it to fit then set it in a suitable epoxy over the crack? I know from this site that the material is available on the 'net somewhere. Also, if the guy is on the board I think we'd all like to who it is for future "reference".....

Thunderchild · « **Reply #4 on:** August 09, 2003, 04:57:03 pm »

Ouch...just got to wonder how it happened. Try to find a top notch fiberglass/carbon fiber shop(Check for boats, cars, kayaks, kit planes(I remember one existed in Oregon [sorry, forgot the name] that layed up carbon fiber), etc.) and see if they can fix it. It would be worth it. I wouldn't try epoxy as yet. It is a different material than the resin used in the frame lay up.

Good luck

Dennis · « **Reply #5 on:** August 09, 2003, 10:42:39 pm »

I second Thunderchild's suggestion. the thermoplastic construction of the carbon bikes is different than hand-layup of carbon and epoxy. however,its progably possible to fix it that way.
I would try to find a composites company to fix it for you. don't ride it, I think it might break on you.
fix it first, it is possible to do with carbon.
they have put back together 80 foot carbon boats that cracked as good as new. the same can be done for your frame. just make sure to get it done properly.
good luck.
[smiley=groucho.gif]

Ionit · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2003, 06:58:43 am »

A little research wouldn't hurt.

I've recently searched many sites on carbon fiber. There is a K2 5500 on the Hexcel site (see link). This site has all you need to know about how the manufacturing of carbon components is done. There are other links as well try visiting all of them. I found that they are very educational. I found that Surfer Steve has some great links. Where You will find a great resource on laying fabrics for surfboard construction. If all these sites confuse you at first like they did to me. I would suggest looking at bcdbcd.com (included below) for inspiration all of his independent builds are made with carbon fiber. It seems he is a pretty avid bike enthusiast.

http://www.hexcelcomposites.com/About/Default.htm

[url]

http://www.surfersteve.com/helpfullinks.htm

[url]

http://www.fibreglast.com/products.php?session=f4fc70473c97c0f7d0f9d1b3fedcc515&area=1

[url]

http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/index.htm

[url]

http://www.bcdbcd.com/

There is a K2 5500 on this page.

[url]

http://www.hexcelcomposites.com/Markets/Products/Thermoplastics/Applications/Bicycle.htm[url]http://[/url]

Ionit · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2003, 06:59:57 am »

A little research wouldn't hurt.

I've recently searched many sites on carbon fiber. There is a K2 5500 on the Hexcel site (see link). This site has all you need to know about how the manufacturing of carbon components is done. There are other links as well try visiting all of them. I found that they are very educational. I found that Surfer Steve has some great links. Where You will find a great resource on laying fabrics for surfboard construction. If all these sites confuse you at first like they did to me. I would suggest looking at bcdbcd.com (included below) for inspiration all of his independent builds are made with carbon fiber. It seems he is a pretty avid bike enthusiast.

http://www.hexcelcomposites.com/About/Default.htm

http://www.surfersteve.com/helpfullinks.htm

http://www.fibreglast.com/products.php?session=f4fc70473c97c0f7d0f9d1b3fedcc515&area=1

http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/index.htm

http://www.bcdbcd.com/

There is a K2 5500 on this page.

http://www.hexcelcomposites.com/Markets/Products/Thermoplastics/Applications/Bicycle.htm

Ionit · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2003, 07:23:40 am »

Have you ever thought of just keeping it as a wall sculpture?
Or I'd even try to rip it apart maybe it could be more easily repaired in three separate parts you could even check if there are any stress fractures from the inside. I would be really interested to know how it was made. Once you have it in pieces why not just reinforce it from the inside and glue it all back together again. If you disassemble all three pieces successfully you mite be able to lay more carbon on the inside and then vacuum bag it. the great thing about that method is that you could actually control how much stronger you want the frame. maybe even make the bike solid carbon fiber. I think I'm getting out of control here.

;)Someone stop me I mite just start ripping apart my perfectly good 4500.

Sorry about the double post I'm trying to get a better posting rank. Just kidding it was a mistake.

good luck proflexGB.

Carbon_Angus · « **Reply #9 on:** August 10, 2003, 08:15:05 am »

i wouldn't ride it, unless someone who knows a lot about cf and the way that bike was built... gave it an okay, but then i weigh 50#'smore than Matno....

some interesting sites from your research, btw

proflexGB · « **Reply #10 on:** August 10, 2003, 08:36:14 am »

This site is superb, thanks for all the replys, I knew this would be something for you guys to get your teeth into!, no honestly thanks very much you are all stars, I will look into all the possibilities...

I have sent the guy an e-mail asking for part of my money back and surprise, surprise he hasn't replied.
I have been lucky so far with ebay - two laptops, a complete 4000, two sets of FOX Float forks, and a few other odds and sods, so my luck had to run out sooner or later. I have put it down to experience and the risks of buying used items off the net from strangers, but I think I'm still ahead on the deals I've had so no regrets.

By the way the guy is the same one who sold Yellow Oz his 4500, he had the frame as a "spare", and sold it to me separately. His name is Mark Talbot.

I think the only way to know how bad it is would be to see from inside the frame, is there any way to get the pivot assembly out, I know it's threaded?

I will investigate a repair, otherwise it could be an expensive wall hanging!, like the idea of breaking it apart!, like an autopsy!

Thanks again chaps.

Old Proflexer · « **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2003, 09:45:22 am »

i've emailed pics to guys up at k2 and they have responded with their opinions - the guys in the tech department will be pretty objective.

OP

proflexGB · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2003, 10:40:47 am »

Thanks very much OP, please let me know what they think, I've left the same question on the Hexcel Composites website to see what they think.

jedoaks · « **Reply #13 on:** August 11, 2003, 02:14:56 pm »

I think what OP means, is that he did it before, with other question. I could be wrong.Rich

RoentgenRanger · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2003, 03:33:30 am »

I'd have to agree with the others here. While I'm certainly not an expert on CF, I would think that it's something that is inviting catastrophic failure. Just be careful...

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Author Topic: Finally got my paws on a 5500...... (Read 4617 times)