As posted on the other forum, here's some photos of the stiffy kit that I've developed for the Gen2 & 3 bikes. As has been posted by other riders, the cast aluminum subframe can develop cracks and break under certain road conditions (bumpy) when the rear trunk or rack is overloaded. This kit substantially reduces the chance your rear will start flopping around... Installation is essentially drop-in with a minor trimming needed of some foam bumper inserts under the rear frame covers. It is made of steel and comes powdercoated silver to match the frame. All hardware is included. Cost is $115 delivered stateside. PM me if you wish to pursue/discuss further.
...More than a couple times. If the subframe goes, it will need to be repaired (by welding) or replaced. It will most likely crack the rear outer covers as well, which then need replacement. If you regularly travel with a loaded trunk, you are at risk. Roll the dice on your vacation. This has been an issue with the Gen1s also.
i have a sometimes loaded pelican case on my '06... frame cracked...got replaced under warranty several years ago. been real careful since then...$115 for a stiffy is much cheaper than time/materials/inconvenience of a repair... and like great stiffy, it is d&d free!
I plan on taking my cameras along this year, safely housed in a Pelican. I packed one along a few times last year, but missed having either the dslr or the camcorder, lenses etc.
Installed the stiffy kit to obviate any overload problems, especially on some of the less smooth road surfaces..
So, with this, that means I can exceed the weight limits imposed by the OEM? Like, say I want to carry a cooler full of cervezas in my "stiffied" trunk?
"The true delight is in the finding out rather than in the knowing." --Isaac Asimov
SunFJRay wrote:So, with this, that means I can exceed the weight limits imposed by the OEM? Like, say I want to carry a cooler full of cervezas in my "stiffied" trunk?
I wouldn't do it too often. FJRs need this because they tend to snap subframes after prolonged use without purposely overloading them.
Now...in reality, the weight limits are crazy low and are prolly exceeded a LOT. This will help. However, it has been proven over multiple experiments that a side bag will hold an 18 pack and ice.
sounds like we need a smokey and the bandit challenge. get a case of beer (unfortunately it should probably be coors) to AJ's house in a predetermined amount of time.
I might be interested in 1 of these. I go camping all the time, although I am careful about only putting light stuff in the trunk, I can see the abuse it takes on dirt roads in VT. Last thing I need out there is subframe problems. Do you think you could reinforce 1 of those for my specific camping requirements? I use a 55L topbox with the Premier Cycle rack.
How well has this farkle been tested? Has anybody overloaded it to see what, if any, is the breaking point?
Aldawg wrote:I might be interested in 1 of these. I go camping all the time, although I am careful about only putting light stuff in the trunk, I can see the abuse it takes on dirt roads in VT. Last thing I need out there is subframe problems. Do you think you could reinforce 1 of those for my specific camping requirements? I use a 55L topbox with the Premier Cycle rack.
How well has this farkle been tested? Has anybody overloaded it to see what, if any, is the breaking point?
This subframe kit is a good practical way to provide a skosh more protection. But if you are really concerned about how much you carry on a bumpy road, you may need to rethink your packing or get a GIVI or other mfr new subframe for the top box.
Otherwise you need to "load test it" until it repeatedly fails , and then let us know what is the average of the loads you were using when you discovered a fracture. (Yamaha's lawyer says 5 lbs or sumpin extremely ridiculous like that.) We want to see the number YOU come up with.
Installation is essentially drop-in with a minor trimming needed of some foam bumper inserts under the rear frame covers. It is made of steel and comes powdercoated silver to match the frame. All hardware is included. Cost is $115 delivered stateside. PM me if you wish to pursue/discuss further.
, and then let us know what is the average of the loads you were using when you discovered a fracture. (Yamaha's lawyer says 5 lbs or sumpin extremely ridiculous like that.) We want to see the number YOU come up with. 
