Welding

ProXimaCore · Dougal Joined: 01 May 2003 Karma :

Right, seems I'm just making my bike worse than it is lately with all my tampering. Those diagrams are real handy! Smile

The little bit in the diagram I have pointed to is used to attach the rear hugger with a bolt. The bolt is stuck and with all my best efforts to get it out, I accidentally snapped the bit attached to the swingarm off. Confused

It looks like it had originally just been welded on. Is it possible to weld it back on? I don't know the first thing about welding, but I have been told it's quite difficult. Is there anything I should take into consideration before getting someone to weld parts back on to my swingarm? Before I go off and do something silly.
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NickD · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Aug 2004 Karma :

Welding itself isn't particularly difficult, but varies depending on what you're welding. Take it down to you nearest fab shop, engineering business, back street garage or similar, and it shouldn't be a problem, and it'll only cost you a few quid. Can't think of any warnings or potential problems as long as the welder's half decent.
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swampy · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Karma :

I shouldn't think that welding it back on, or fabricating another and welding that should be a problem, has the piece that you broke off left a hole in the swingarm, or has it sheared above where it meets the swingarm ? Should be a five minute job for someone who knows how to weld...
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ProXimaCore · Dougal Joined: 01 May 2003 Karma :

Rory · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 May 2004 Karma :

I was under the impression welding aluminium was difficult?
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ProXimaCore · Dougal Joined: 01 May 2003 Karma :

mr jamez · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Aug 2003 Karma :

Yes aluminium is harder to weld, but an engineering shop etc will not have any trouble as they have the correct gear and know how Smile

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Bikes have only just started to have Ally swingarms in the last few years. I would be very surprised if that swingarm wasn't steel! Smile

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ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

stryker · Brolly Dolly Joined: 30 Aug 2004 Karma :

How do you weld magnesium without it going up in your face?

swampy · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Karma :

Rory · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 May 2004 Karma :

ProXimaCore · Dougal Joined: 01 May 2003 Karma :

Rory · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 May 2004 Karma :

Dunno, try a web search or ask on 400GB.
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Rory · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 May 2004 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Just looking at your picture, it doesn't look like that lug is carrying a lot of load...you might find you can glue it back on using a product called JB Weld which is an epoxy based plastic metal. Use plenty, you can even grind, drill and tap it afterwards. It will either work brilliantly or snap-off immediatley.

Make sure the surfaces are perfectly clean and grease freeand build up the epoxy all the way around the crack, use it thickly accross any stress points.
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ProXimaCore · Dougal Joined: 01 May 2003 Karma :

I've found out that it's infact alloy and not steel.

Yeah I was thinking even some strong glue stuff would probably work. It doesn't need to take a heavy load at all. It's just to hold the hugger in place. So there's no real weight on it or anything.
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dibbster · Nearly there... Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Karma :

If swingarm was steel it would possibly show signs of rust depending on age.

On a slightly more general note, welding. It is something I have never done but feel I should have at some stage. Never did it at school (did brazing once) but I can think of numerous occasions it would have been useful.

(sorry for wandering off topic)
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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Alloy welding is quite a skilled job, and the problem they will have is that they will want to know the grade of alloy that they are dealing with.

Bike swinging arms on sports bikes have been alloy for around 20 years now.

All the best

Keith
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ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Big Pete · Spanner Monkey Joined: 18 Jul 2004 Karma :

Magnesium is usually welded in a glove box filled with argon mix, it can also be laser welded in a vacuum.
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Rory · Traffic Copper Joined: 14 May 2004 Karma :

Isn't magnesium usually used in an alloy with other metals that retard its tendancy to burn instead of melt?
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Big Pete · Spanner Monkey Joined: 18 Jul 2004 Karma :