As many have seen I had a bit of a mishap with a tree a week ago. The bike looks as though it's not too bad but through the broken plastic I can see one dent in the frame.
My question is how bad is too bad & what is the easiest way to check that the frame is straight?

 

The last time i saw a frame checked - the guy put straight bars through both axles and eyed them up from the back and the front to see if the axles were in line.

The only other way is to find a frame repairer who can check it to the book

 

I really couldn't tell you how much is too much. If you were in the States I'd send you to Computrac. They have all the specs and can measre your fram with lasers and then straighten most frames that are not too bad. We unknowingly raced the F3 for part of a season with the only sign of trouble being heavey wear on the left side of the rear tire. Later found out that the swing arm was tweeked.
Is there a Computrac franchise Down Under?

 

Cheers. I was going to use a string line & tape measure for a quick look but I may have to hunt down a place that does frames. Maybe even "Computrac". Shouldn't be too hard. The bike seemed to ride ok considering it had just hit a tree & bounced another 25 feet.

 

have someone follow behind u and see if it looks like its running strait no dog tracking good luck

 

^^^^ I would do the same.... if the rear tire runs vertical and in line, the frame is probalby ok.

 

It's possible that the yoke was pushed back a few mm in the accident, causing the "bend in the frame - the bike may track straight but the wheel to wheel distance may have shifted, and will affect handling.
My 2 c FWIW.

 

Dont know about Oz - but frames can be picked up here for about £50 on ebay

 

Where on the frame is it bent?

If you do decide to ride the bike, take it up to speed slowly. You may have a deadly shake that gets activated at a certain speed.

I rode the hell out of a bike when I was much younger. I dragged everything including the side cases. I cold worked the frame under the steering head near the valve cover until it split the welds in the frame. The bike handled fine up to 80 MPH at which point it went off like a paint shaker.

Be very careful.