Hairline cracks have me worried, what do you think?

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Hairline cracks have me worried, what do you think?
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flag Moshman
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 19:04 Quote
Hey guys,
I have a couple of hairline cracks in my KHS Fetish and I was wondering how worried I should be about them.
Here is the general area on the frame that is affected:
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd76/MoshmansBikes/Wholething.jpgAnd here are the various issue spots:
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd76/MoshmansBikes/RightLower.jpgUnsecure image, only https images allowed: http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd76/MoshmansBikes/RightHigher.jpgUnsecure image, only https images allowed: http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd76/MoshmansBikes/LeftLower.jpgUnsecure image, only https images allowed: http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd76/MoshmansBikes/LeftHigher.jpg
I am using the frame mostly for freestyle and slope style, no large gaps/drops.
Thanks for your input.
flag benbiker1
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 19:06 Quote
Id send that in to KHS and they will probably give you a new one under warranty.
flag husstler
O+
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 19:08 Quote
Yikes! Send that thing back - I wouldn't want to ride like that for long.
flag Moshman
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 19:13 Quote
I emailed them but I don't think it is going to do any good. Check this out:
"Q: What is the KHS warranty policy?

A: The KHS does not warranty frames, forks or parts damaged from use, misuse, crashing, racing, jumping, stunt riding, improper maintenance, neglect etc. For more information, please read KHS Warranty Policy

If you're a consumer and have a warranty question, take your bicycle and sales receipt to your authorized KHS bicycle dealer for evaluation.

If you're a KHS Bicycle Dealer and have a bicycle warranty question, please complete our
on-line bicycle warranty form

If you're a KHS Parts Dealer and have an issue with a Parts Order (missing, damage or incorrect merchandise), please complete our
on-line-line parts order descrepancy form"

I am thinking of riding it for a bit and checking the issue spots before/during/after each ride to see if they get worse, if they do, I'll have it fixed locally.
flag benbiker1
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 19:15 Quote
Those welds look like a manufacturer defect to me. Just take that to a bike shop and tell them you just got it and haven't ridden it at all, even if you have. Thats what i would do.
flag tacobell123
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 19:15 Quote
looks serious wouldnt do any dh or jumps on that
flag husstler
O+
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 19:16 Quote
Your retailer should go to bat for you. The Canadian distributor for KHS is pretty good with warranty stuff, it shouldn't be that different in 'Merica.

Edit: Don't lie to them, but also don't go out of the way to tell them you tried a 25' road gap and landed flat 15 times in a row. It is a mountain bike, after all.

Also, don't just get it welded locally. That may cause issues with the heat treating, as well as will void the warranty for sure.
flag killerbikeman
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 19:25 Quote
thats manufacturers defect because the welder didn't weld it properly by penetrating the metal with his weld
flag chainrxn
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 19:27 Quote
Hairline cracks are something to be worried about-they point to damage underneath the paint. The fact that they seem to be popping up around the welds just says that they are probably compromised.
I'd at least talk to someone at KHS, and let them know that there was a problem with the frame. Do not, especially if you've been using it like you said you have, just go out and keep riding- that's asking for a bad crash due to equipment failure. Best of luck, though.
flag qwiksand99
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 19:44 Quote
As a TIG welder myself I can tell you that that is not your fault at all; it's poor manufacturing/welding. Riding it will only make it worse due to less area having to support the load. I would definetly see what they can do for you. It could be repaired but ur gonna need to have the frame repainted or something after, or just leave it with a raw section.
flag suicidedownhiller
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 20:06 Quote
KHS has the worst custom service ever in my expierence...So just a forewarning
flag Moshman
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 20:28 Quote
qwiksand99 wrote:
As a TIG welder myself I can tell you that that is not your fault at all; it's poor manufacturing/welding. Riding it will only make it worse due to less area having to support the load. I would definetly see what they can do for you. It could be repaired but ur gonna need to have the frame repainted or something after, or just leave it with a raw section.

Well, I am concerned that KHS is going to tell me I am SOL, it is almost 10 years old after all.
How much would you think a repair would run me? I am considering re-paint anyway so that's not a big deal.
flag killerbikeman
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 21:58 Quote
if its 10 years old then forget the warranty just take it to a tig welder and get them to grind down the welds and weld both sides not just the one
flag
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 22:05 Quote
i suggest dont land any more whips sideways and only ride on straight flat hiways
flag redneckmech
Posted: Mar 4, 2009 at 23:17 Quote
As a welder, I would recommend attempting to return it on warranty. As others have mentioned, those welds show to have incomplete penetration. If they do not warranty it then I would have it re-welded as a last resort.... Just my two bits.
Good Luck
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