Welding Alu frame?

kramdra · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2010 Karma :

Last June I had a minor spill from 30mph and the bike slid on its left side. I did not have side fairings fitted so the frame was exposed an received some scratches and a minor dent One of the scratches was deep and appeared that it might be a tiny crack, this now seems to have spread, so I need to repair asap as I need the bike everyday.

Green-red dots are the crack

https://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m593/Kramdra/Cbr600/2IMG_20140608_001201_zps0e2eebc8.jpg

I believe the crack should be repairable by TiG welding but the big question is preferably without stripping engine or too much from the frame. Anyone have experience?

thestew · Derestricted Danger Joined: 01 Nov 2012 Karma :

If you are not sure whether it is a crack or not, I would Sagest getting a die penetrant kit, no point welding it if there's not even a crack. Tig would also be the process of choice.

lihp · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Karma :

A lot of the frame finish will need to be ground off, as the frame will be andonised and not bare aluminium.

So when the weld repair is done, You will need to get the frame refinished somewhere.

kramdra · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2010 Karma :

Frame is painted rather than anodised but I dont care too much for cosmetics Embarassed

.

Ive found somone who builds and races cars who said he should be able to do the job in a couple weeks when less busy. It seems I will only need to remove the fuel tank and protect/remove the loom, hopefully I can ride in and ride away same day.

davebike · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Nov 2013 Karma :

I TIG weld that looks easy enough to weld
You will need to remove anything the heat can effect form nearby

A fair bit of paint will need to be removed

A fairly simple weld

Dave
____________________
Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

kramdra · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2010 Karma :

Great. How would you go about the repair? TIG along the crack, or perhaps cut it out with a burr and a plate over the top?

The only things to be removed seem to be fuel tank and the main loom which runs along side the frame. Plus ECU, reg and battery as is normal for any welding

Found this interesting read about Honda frame design, appears it will be a 7xxx alloy. https://210.101.116.115/fisita/pdf/G359.pdf

davebike · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Nov 2013 Karma :

Without being able to actually look at the damage it is difficult to say

It might be a simple v notch and run a weld
It might just be a simple matter of running a weld

Take it to your local welder who has TIG and get his ideas

Dave
____________________
Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

kramdra · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2010 Karma :

https://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m593/Kramdra/Cbr600/IMG_20140613_161018_zps6908e304.jpg

Cleaned it up a bit.

Fisty · Super Spammer Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Karma :

Personally, I would get another frame.
____________________
Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

I agree with fisty, even if you weld the possible crack up, it still looks like it's lost a lot of material to the road, wouldn't want it to buckle under stress from hitting a pothole or something.
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

_Iain_ · Banned Joined: 01 Feb 2012 Karma :

Will I get pictures of women smearing poo on each other in here too if I dissagree with your idea of a bodge repair?

New frame.
____________________
Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

Quornholio · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2011 Karma :

Aluminium frame gets damaged, it's scrap, no ifs or buts.
____________________
https://i.imgur.com/fMrhZnH.jpg?1
Everyone give this dood green karma pls --> https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=4045389#4045389
XxXxX

Hetzer · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Karma :

It's a bit like "tap your helmet and in a subsequent crash your head will explode" BS.

The crack in the frame will get worse if not welded but once welded it'll be perfectly safe. Even if fully stressed with balls-out track usage I'd be staggered if it failed. How would it fail? The entire beam would shear apart? Or what? Even if it did it would be unlikely to cause the bike to crash (maybe in a high-speed knees-down corner scenario).

Too much bollocks talked about this kind of thing. B17s made it back to base after being shot to shit by 20mm and 30mm cannon. Composite structures can take a hell of a beating and keep rolling.

tl/dr get it welded.
____________________
"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

hmmmnz · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

im with hetzer on this,
once welded it'll be as strong as it ever was
i would drill a hole at each end of the crack to stop it spreading, and weld it up

may be keep an eye out for a cheap frame in the future if you ever want to sell the bike, a big weld on the frame, while safe as houses would put people off buying it
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches