Topic: FIXIT - Anyone Ever Use It?

[Bob Wessner]

My bike has always had one ugly broken fin, the top one, right side. Every time I look at the bike, it seems that's all I can see. Short of pulling the engine and swapping heads or having someone fill it properly, I've been trying to find something to at least fill it temporarily and make it look passable. In doing some searches, I came across a product called FIXIT, an epoxy-clay compound. Maker claims it will stick to anything and good up to 500^oF.

You do the usual mix equal parts, in this case you knead it until the color is uniform. It can be formed for up to 3 hours, you can smooth it with a wet finger and needs very little support and completely solidifies in 24 hrs. Thought I would give it a try. It looks better and a bit more work would probably make it look more aesthetic, but I think I'll hold off until I see if it holds up to repeated heating/cooling an vibrations. Pics below.

[BobbyR]

You really have nothing to lose. I used a similar product on the cavitation plate on an out board and she stayed put. If this can;t take the expansion and contraction of the fin, I am about to experiment with that Aluminum solder which could also be an option for you.

[nteek754]

Hey all try J B weld  I know there are alot of differant  mixes out there but  J B weld is the best I found it in Mississippi 25 years ago when I got back to Maine it wasnt up here yet (dont make fun of ME.)  A buddy at a parts store said 3 Ms got something as good I said no they dont well they didnt back then I have  fixed broken 750 engine cases in front of front sproket with no ill effects  they even have the J B quick goes off in like  5 min. where as the regular stuff takes a good day but I think thats why it works so good its not poures  or grainylike some of the others  good luck with your mend seven fifty four ever Craig in Maine

[rhinoracer]

There are "new" (I don't know how new though) aluminum brazing rods that you can use with a common copper pipe soldering torch, you don't even an Oxyacetylene torch.

This brazing rod flows like lead soldering, you don't even need flux and will leave a smooth bead which you can blend. I used it to repair a cracked valve adjustement cap which I haven't installed yet but for merely cosmetic applications such as yours it's more than strong enough.

[Jim F]

I could laser weld that but you would have to take the motor apart
check out my thread for laser welding carburetor float posts
if I can help let me know

Jim

[Bob Wessner]

but you would have to take the motor apart

That's what I'm trying to avoid.. or at least put off.

[oldbiker]

Bob, I've seen a demo of that 'Lumiweld' aluminium solder and the demonstrator tore at it all ways till the parent metal broke but the joint stayed good. I reckon it would do anything you need.

[Bob Wessner]

Goggled it, interesting, but the "heat source" sounds like I wouldn't be able to do this in-place though, right?

[BobbyR]

Bob, you can get the Aliminum rods at home Depot under the Bernzomatic brand and sells them for less than $5.

[Bob Wessner]

Just a follow-up on the epoxy clay fix to that broken fin. It's been over 2,000 miles of heating/colling and vibration. Held up fine, no problems.