Topic: Front end swapping- what metal is this!?

[Industrial Cafe]

I need to stretch the neck of my triple tree a 1/2 inch, but to do so I should probably know what I'm cutting and welding.
I filed a little spot and it appears to be an aluminum alloy, but I want to know for sure.

it's a triple tree off a 2002 gsxr1000

[bucky katt]

thats aluminum alloy, just not sure what alloy

[Industrial Cafe]

I'm going to use HTS2000 to weld it together... more like solder i guess.
I'll be using a piece of aircraft aluminum tubing the same size as the center of the pin.
they say it can weld any alloy.

HTS-2000 works on all non-ferrous alloys including "all" aluminum alloys (even the ones that cannot be welded), magnesium aluminum mixtures, zinc, die cast, pot metal, copper, bronze, Nickel, Titanium and galvanized parts.

http://www.aluminumrepair.com/aluminum_repair.asp

[Alan F.]

I'm going to use HTS2000 to weld it together... more like solder i guess.
I'll be using a piece of aircraft aluminum tubing the same size as the center of the pin.
they say it can weld any alloy.

HTS-2000 works on all non-ferrous alloys including "all" aluminum alloys (even the ones that cannot be welded), magnesium aluminum mixtures, zinc, die cast, pot metal, copper, bronze, Nickel, Titanium and galvanized parts.

http://www.aluminumrepair.com/aluminum_repair.asp

I use that stuff too, it's really strong and very handy.  Be sure to use Mapp gas and not propane, and turn the torch up fully for a nice hot flame so it doesn't take forever to get it up to temp.  Practicing alot will really improve your technique with the HTS and improve the quality of your work.
I don't know if I'd have the spheres to use it on a stem bolt personally, but it should be strong enough. 
I wonder about the stem being heat treated for strength, using the HTS will probably change that....
Best of luck.
-Alan

[CycleRanger]

Yow, that's a pretty high stress part. I'm not sure welding would be the best option.
If it's within your budget I'd think having a machine shop duplicate one in the correct length would be a safer option long term.

[Industrial Cafe]

I have a non-budget.
I think it'll be strong enough.
maybe I'll run a stainless bolt through the center as a back up/classic steering damper.

[Retro Rocket]

Check the bottom diameter of the tube in your new clamps with the Honda one, i amusing a 1990 GSXR front end on my build and the 2 stems were the same diameter, i just had the Suzuki stem pressed out and the Honda one pressed straight in......problem solved..

You may be able to do the same thing....

Mick

[Industrial Cafe]

It looks to be about 1.215insh
the honda one is about the same size.
I think I'll have to grind the bottom weld off.

that's an idea that was shot down by some guys at a local machine shop.
they said if I pressed it out it was probably knurled inside and frozen to install and bla bla bla-

basically they said "I'll have 2 pieces of junk if I press it out"

[Retro Rocket]

I would go to another shop mate, the guy that did mine is an engineer and has done it multiple times, he said it was very easy and mine is just fine....


Mick

[Industrial Cafe]

I can have the pressing done at my dads shop, it's 2 hours away... but it's free.

[Retro Rocket]

Just remember to put a little "kink" in the bottom of the stem so it doesn't try and spin in the clamp, you can also thread a small hole and use a grub screw or small allen key headed bolt to secure it to the bottom clamp, or a small weld if you know what alloy it is..

Mick

[Industrial Cafe]

not that I wouldn't do it, but is there really that much twisting force on the bottom of the stem?
I mean you're really just turning the fork tubes with the clipons attached to the trees.
and the upper triple is just "lightly" pressed onto the stem with a nut, so it would twist before the bottom would.

i dunno just thinkin out loud.

[Retro Rocket]

your probably right but i just think its a bit of insurance and quite an inexpensive fix..

Mick

[Industrial Cafe]

yeah.

something else.
the gsxr top tree has about a millimeter larger hole than the cb750.
guess that could be sleeved to fit easy enough.

[Retro Rocket]

That shouldn't be too hard ...your Dad has a machine shop doesn't he?

Mick

[Industrial Cafe]

yeah, ...well half of it anyways.