If it was brand new, I'm sure they would. They can look at the frame and figure it out.
I would worry about the zit faced kid that's going to assemble it...
when I tried to respond to this thread last night, my computer locked up...
to add, I would have to assume that Kaw, want's to see this 'complete' frame, to ascertain any other defects that may have occurred on it during it's trip in assembly, and welding... this is not something they take lightly, as history shows when Goldwing frames began cracking regularly from a similar issue at Honda...
I am willing to bet, this whole 'frame replacement' from beginning till it's completed, will be watched over by a Kaw supplied factory tech person, and measurements, and prior inspection of torques, and dimensions will be done as it is taken apart...
I'd also bet that Kaw staffed person turns most of the wrenches... during the job.
I don't have any belief they will let the 'kid' at the dealership even touch a wrench during this... I await further commentary from the o/p, about this whole process, when it's revealed how it will be undertaken and what transpires... In some areas, I do highly respect Kaw's choices, this one particularly... and I'm sure it will be worthy for all parties...
I hope this shows just how much it means to the manufacturer, to analyze, and feed back information (just as they have done in the past, when the bike first appeared, and they silently and unkbeknownst to all, watched us pick apart, and report every little thing that was a defect), taking it as a barometer of how to correct faults.. and further prevent others...
this occurance
COULD have had a very bad, multi million $$$$$ slap on them, via a personal injury... they are taking this seriously...
Kudo's.