motorcycle engine case broken

[Alex-the-tig]

Hi, I can repair your casing no problem. Message me if you still require help

 

[rohart]

I don't think it's a good idea to think of degreasing aluminium based material with NaOH, or sodium or potassium hydroxide. If you wait long enough you'll dissolve the whole thing. At the least you'll lose any surface finish any of the important surfaces have.

There's a reaction, where hydrogen is released and a complex aluminate compound results.

While I don't swear by Wikis, they have this right:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_hydroxide

 

[Spot the welders dog]

Can't help with a solution, but whilst you deliberate :-
A new member recently joined called davebike who is located in SE20.

Only one post so no indication of his work, or indeed if they will see your request: Could benefit you to have someone that's 'in the know' to have a look and weigh up your options...

 

[Davebike]

Just spotted this I happy to look / advise but I must say I not had any experience of that type of repair I done straight case repairs footrest hangers etc
My years of mending bike says it can be done but it isn't going to be easy plus oil pressure switches use rather off and tapered threads

What bike is it and where are you located

Dave

 

[jordan1]

if u can aford it or get some cheap belzona super molecular is the best

How does Devcon titanium putty compare for use with ally casings which is machinable?.
Cheers

 

[ron.s.95]

Hi thanks for the help and advice i am in ashfrod kent but come up to catford most weeks.

 

[langy]

I've welded several motorcycle ali castings and engine parts for a friend with a bike shop,
not had one yet that i would say welded nice,
always do the normal thorough pre-clean stuff using white tungstens and 4043? rods,
lots of ac cleaning reqd as lots of crap comes out from the casting,
initially do a few small beads stainless brushing between welds,
do them as he's a friend but not my choice of work.

We were only talking about this the other day and guess what a mate of mine bought in an ally engine bit yesterday, what a pig to weld, every time the arc was struck more crap appeared, got it done in the end but not a job i would want to do reguarly, I nearly passed it onto you

 

[chevy2]

We were only talking about this the other day and guess what a mate of mine bought in an ally engine bit yesterday, what a pig to weld, every time the arc was struck more crap appeared, got it done in the end but not a job i would want to do reguarly, I nearly passed it onto you

Oh thanks mate, you really know who your friends are when these nice desirable jobs are being offered

 

[SBK]

Durafix are very easy to use and loads of vids on there site and u tube.
If you choose to go down that route the part would be best pre heated first .

 

[SBK]

We were only talking about this the other day and guess what a mate of mine bought in an ally engine bit yesterday, what a pig to weld, every time the arc was struck more crap appeared, got it done in the end but not a job i would want to do reguarly, I nearly passed it onto you

I am having the same trouble at the moment with a bike frame
I cant seem to form a puddle just get loads of crap coming through.
Any pointers ?

 

[Seano]

As usual make sure it's daaaaaamn clean then user the plasma flame to heat it up and see what bubbles to the surface, don't melt it, as in trying to form the puddle, just heat it to see what comes out of it, then give it a good brushing, then more of the same, an carry on until you get as much crap out of it before you start to weld...

 

[SBK]

Yeah have run over the area and now have a dirty looking surface
I will s/s wire it and try again.do cleaning agents help like acetone.
Cheers

 

[jordan1]

Seems just not enough heat and cleanliness.

 

[SBK]

As usual make sure it's daaaaaamn clean then user the plasma flame to heat it up and see what bubbles to the surface, don't melt it, as in trying to form the puddle, just heat it to see what comes out of it, then give it a good brushing, then more of the same, an carry on unroll you get as much crap out of it before you start to weld...

Sorted thanks that worked a treat

 

[Seano]

Sorted thanks that worked a treat

Glad it worked out for you

 

[cardiffrob]

Just been through the same sort of issue with an alloy casting. Lots of bubbling scuzz for the first few passes which I then filed off before going over again with a stainless brush. By the third go it was welding like new. 80+ year old car timing cover. Lots of propane pre heat also seemed to make the weld pool come on much more easily and in a more controlled fashion. Probably obvious to the more proficient welders but I guess we all learn by experience.

Gearbox body to work on next week. Might need a bigger propane torch!

 

[chevy2]

Just to show there is a massive difference on ali motorcycle castings i did a couple of repairs this week for a friend that has a motorcycle shop that i often do ali welding for.

First off was an engine side case from a 1972 Kawasaki that had fallen over and made some nasty cracks,
literally only wiped the excess oil from both sides then held the torch over the cracks for a few seconds to burn out the oil inside and then welded both sides with zero problems and barely any peppering in the weld pool.

The other job was a large cast bracket that supports the fairing on a Buell,
Sanded off all the powder coat off and thoroughly cleaned and vee'd the joints,
You guessed it, welded up like utter cr*p with major problems.