The honda frames are pretty thin, which I really think is the biggest culprit. They could have used thicker material, but it's more a cost factor. I don't think honda or many makers, think about their machines lasting 20 years or more. Honda was known for stamped steel frames and thin tubing and such. Some of thier newer machines are beefiier and some are not. I've seem some newer quads and bikes that have total crap frames. I've seen some old race machines with not much better. If you would see how some of the Tigers are put together it's pretty amazing. I can see why people are building machines ike the TPC450 and another 450 frame at HRE. Makes me want to have a custom frame for the 350x built in at least mild steel. It would be a whole lot stronger than stock. And if you wanted to go really crazy, chromoly. And the stock frames are so thin, I'm sure dirtcrasher practiced on a trashed frame or 2 to get the welds just right so there wouldn't be any burn through which I'm sure happened during practice welding on an old crappy frame. So it's a real tightrope walk for the guys who repair and reinforce these frames. Not for the novice welder at all. Thick wall mild steel or chromoly would be way more forgiving. And when I say mild steel, I'm talking DOM of course. A custom frame would never be exactly like stock, but who cares.
Nicholson 500x (Project)
Nicholson 185s
Nicholson 110 (That takes an atc70 tank)
Ascott 500 head/350x (Project)
Homebuilt Racer Chromoly Suspension 110 (Ragin Runt)
PK Racing Suspension 70
A+ Inc Suspension 70
AWS Aluminum 90 frame
Hi Performance ATC Suspension frame rd350
Hi Performance ATC Suspension frame 90