Trying to decide between two frames

[cmattina]

I have two early 50s frames for a 350. I am not sure what to do and looking for suggestions. Frame B is slightly different in that it has two holes on each rear fork and flat bracket going across the bottom (see very last pic). Frame A only has one hole and no bar. I dont know why these are different.


Frame A:
- recently blasted and powercoated. I think the blasting was too hard on the steel (see pic). It looks worse in real life than it does in the pics. Quite upset about it. but what am I gunna do.
- voltage regulator bracket made from angle iron (if it bothers me i can cut it off).
- rear forks have 0.75" slot

Frame B:
- Someone cut off all four of the tank mounts
- 0.5" slot on rear axle

Frame A:

Frame B

[tony.barnett]

I've never seen a rigid frame with the bracket like Frame B. I'd suggest it is an addition. It'd be easier using Frame A with the intact tank mounts.

[john.whiting]

Your frame A must have had heavy rust and pitting,and bogged in to hide it.......not possible for blasting to be 'too hard' on steel....I d drill a couple of small holes to check the thickness.....or ultrasonic thickness test ,if you have it.

[john.whiting]

deleted.

[Simon.Gardiner]

I'd go with frame A, Charlie - as has been mentioned those missing tank brackets on frame B are tricky (but not impossible - I think there are some details on that around the forum somewhere) to rebuild.
Maybe keep frame B as a future project!
The pitting on frame A looks bad but I've seen things in use that look similar - maybe check out some of the pics of Lee's KH frame here
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=9885&p=72974#p72974

SG

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

The tubes on the 'second' frame look much better, or is it just the pictures?
The extra holes on the lower rear tubes you can grind off and that piece of strip also.
Then you could take of the tank mounts from the rusted frame and weld them on to this 'second' frame.
A bit of work but doable.

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

Oh, and also the seat mounts.....

[adrie.degraaff]

Like Vincent I would allways take the second strong frame becouse the pitted one is to weak and should be retubed wich is much more difficult than welding tank supports.
I should know, i have done both and finding the right tubing is a nightmare.

[wade.edwards]

There are a few scrap frames out there that still have the tank mounts. Now is a good time to ask around for donations. I did mine nine years ago with a kind contribution from a fellow member.
Hopefully you are a metal worker of some skill so you can mock up exact mount jigs that bolt to various points on the frame using angle iron, flat bar and small diameter tube. Then you can cut and shape the donors to lay alongside the tank tube for welding, grinding and polishing.
Those tortured looking lower tubes must have been coated in filler to cover the damage. There are craftsmen in England who specialize in retubing.
The more you can do yourself the better. And....that regulator mount must go

[roger.fellows]

I seem to recall Simon Holyfield needing to make tank mounts.

Try his Amelia Squariel blog if you can't find it on here.