G/S sub-frame mods
 

Hi everyone,
I ride a 1983 R80ST with Jesse bags. It has the same sub-frame as the G/S. I mounted a big body Works Performance shock so the ride is smooth. There is lots of talk about sub-frame mods for strengthing on this model and I have seen some custom work done by the pros but what about something a little simpler. I would like to reinforce my frame but where? Does anyone know exactly where it breaks and why? What side breaks? When I look at the Jesse bag mounts they seem fine for the job and have 45K miles already in and too many crashes to list due to off road riding. Jesse grafted a Reynolds rack to his bag mounts so I have added strength across the back of the frame. The bag mounts hang off the horizonal portion of the sub-frame. Does anyone have good pictures of a modified frame. I went to Ernie's Overland and that is ok for what it is but I need the cheap, do it yourself fix. Anyone been there and done that. Does it really have to be done? My usual travel load is around 45 lbs. I weigh about 160 with gear on. I ride without a passenger. I have mounted a G/SPD tank. Thanks. Bill.

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My subframe cracked where the mounting-hole for the exhaust is. Vertical crack, going through the hole.
When it cracked my Jesse-rack had been welded and modified a lot of times. So if you don't stress the bike so much that the Jesse-rack brakes it migt work as it is.

I have ordered a new sub-frame from Ernie now.

BTW: I have a R80GS Basic, same subframe as the G/S but with the paralever and some of my problem with the Jesse-system has been that the rack hits the paralever and fortunately the rack is less solid...

We have just completed 50,000kms on our trip, riding off road in the Andes and on roads like ruta 40 and caraterra Austral. So off road but not extreme. I am using Jesse panniers, Hepco and Becker topbox and big Ortlieb drybag on the seat behind me. 5litre water container on the front of the rightside Jesse pannier but supported by the rear footpeg.Also have 45litre fuel tank, big touratech tankbag and tank panniers. I weigh about14 stone.Ride solo.
Absolutely no problem with subframe or rack.
Have dropped the bike on a couple of occasions, panniers dented but rack , subframe ok. I imagine a crash at higher speeds would bend rack/subframe though, as it does flex a little.
My partner rides an 80GS Kalahari, same subframe as the Basic. Jesse rack I have will not fit properly as the subframe is shorter. Would only be able to mount the Jesse rack using 2 off the holes, not 3 as on the rack on my bike.
If anything I would go for a weaker rack that can be welded if it breaks. Easier to weld the rack than straighten the subframe properly in most countries.
Hope this helps.

There is an additional part you use when you mount the Jesse-rack to a G/S, Basic or Kalahari so you still have three holes on each side.
But I still had some problems with mounting the indicators...