Author Topic: Frame bracing/ welding locations before powdercoat  (Read 1284 times)

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Offline squirley

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Frame bracing/ welding locations before powdercoat
« on: November 16, 2008, 04:16:31 PM »
Ok, so I am sending my 550 frame off for powder coating this week, but before I do I want to make sure that I have covered everything. 
My question is:

Should I add bracing to anywhere on the frame
Are there any seams that should be welded completely (ie the rear engine/swingarm mounts)
I did weld up the front tube splice below the neck where tube is slid over the engine cradle tube and crimped and spot welded.  Don't know if this was a do or don't, but it looks better now.

The build of the bike can be seen here and also the way the frame is welded now.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=34836.0

Thanks for any and all input.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2008, 09:25:58 AM by squirley »

Offline squirley

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Re: Frame bracing/ welding locations before powdercoat
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2008, 09:26:37 AM »
Does anyone have any advice on this...? I would like to get it out for PC as soon as possible.
Thanks

Offline scondon

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Re: Frame bracing/ welding locations before powdercoat
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2008, 09:55:41 AM »
   I welded the forward downtubes on my 750, same as you. I opted out of adding any extra tubing or bracing as the only spots available that wouldn't interfere with wheel travel or the engine were well braced already. I know people have added more, possibly at the steering neck, but what was done has been sufficient for me.

 I also welded on a tab on which to mount a steering damper. Along with a fork brace and new steering, swingarm, and wheel bearings the bike has become a solid handler in bumpy high speed turns. Good fork seal, fluid levels and playing with spring pressure by adding shims also helped immensely in ridding the bike of that "swimmy" feeling. Hope this helps.

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Offline FunJimmy

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Re: Frame bracing/ welding locations before powdercoat
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2008, 12:10:10 PM »
Squirley

I’ve done some digging into this topic as well and have decided to weld the two down tubes too. Bracing the swingarm area sounds like a great idea, but the air box and battery look to be in the way of any easy solutions. Apparently securing the engine to act as a stressed member might have benefits though. Suggestions include replacing the engine mounting bolts with more precise fitting fasteners, adding an additional mounting bracket to the top of the engine (thought there was a post on that topic somewhere) to making thicker and stronger front plates. 

Check out this article - http://www.tonyfoale.com/Articles/Frame.mod/KawaMods.htm 

Let us know what you end up doing.

Jimmy
« Last Edit: November 17, 2008, 12:35:13 PM by FunJimmy »
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Offline MCRider

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Re: Frame bracing/ welding locations before powdercoat
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2008, 12:20:28 PM »
I can't see it exactly, but it looks like your rear set brackets double as a swingarm pivot gusset?
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Offline squirley

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Re: Frame bracing/ welding locations before powdercoat
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2008, 12:50:22 PM »
Therear sets don't really double as anything, just a place to connect the pegs.