Initial inspection looks good. There is no tube damage that can be seen other than the welding for the added on battery tray. The front axle measured out good, so it is not bent.

To properly inspect the frame and to prep it, the paint is being removed. A wire power brush did not work too well, so paint stripper is being used to soften it up.

Paint stripper is messy, but effective in removing the layers of paint this has. Rust is being identified and can be properly taken care of.

The paint is gone and the rust shows. I think the frame had some surface rust before it was painted when new. A complete inspection of the tubes and all welds showed everything was good. These frames can bend and crack, so if anything bad is found, repair welding or frame straightning would be done now.

A little time with the angle grinder took care of the welds, and the tray has been removed.

The front seat support is gone, so a new one will have to be welded in.

A new bar was welded in to replace the missing one. A piece of 1/8 1" bar stock was used.

The cage bars have also been stripped and inspected. After sanding rust for a few hours and some thought, I decided to cut the losses and take everything to Witts Powercoating in Bossier City, LA. The parts will get sandblasted and finished. Powercoating will hold up much better than paint, and will look better. I am also saving myself HOURS of work.

Fresh from Witts, this frame is done. It cost $100, but will hold up well and it only took 2 days to get it back. For me to paint it, it would have taken many hours of sanding, priming and painting. The powercoating process sprays a power on a electrically charged part, then baked so the powder melts and forms the finish. Powercoating is tough and very resistant to corrosion and chipping. This frame looks like a new one.

Everything for the frame is here ready for reassembly.

BTW: The van in the background can bee seen in the opening scene of Premonition.