TIG welder in Kent needed

[DR650s]

Hi all
I need a crack in a motorcycle shock mount repaired. The general concensus is that it can be ground out and welded up. But i need to find a competent welder/fabricator in the Kent area (I'm in Orpington). Is there anybody on here that can help me out of recomend someone.

 

[Piero]

You might want to say if its cast alloy or just plain steel

 

[DR650s]

You might want to say if its cast alloy or just plain steel

Thanks

Its alloy, the bikes a 92 RGV250 so 20 years old, the engine mounts and shock mounts are known to crack over time, possibly due to the alloy and methods of frame production 20 years ago, or because its a 2 stroke and produces a lot of vibration.

The crack is on one side of a forked shock mount (Lower Mount), its a hairline crack along the weld to the frame, and then across the bracket, at present I don't believe it has gone all the way through.
I have an option of purchasing a replacement upgraded billet bracket that would need welding in place of the existing, but would prefer for the existing bracket to be repair if possible and maybe even strengthened.

 

[DR650s]

Oh and I'm also quite happy to strip the bike as far as is required for the work to be carried out.

 

[Pete.]

You'll need the bare frame and it'll need to be spangly clean and de-greased.

Hotrodder is right on your doorstep so you could drop him a message but be warned it's a very busy time of year.

 

[busastars]

Scott is down your way, he would be my first option.

scott0031 ( Ward Engineering )

See some of his work in the albums, helped me out no end

 

[DR650s]

Scott is down your way, he would be my first option.

scott0031 ( Ward Engineering )

See some of his work in the albums, helped me out no end

I have already message scott as several people recommended him, but he has declined due to the work being on a motorbike frame.
I can see that this would cause people an issue due to the seriousness if it fails, though to be honest its one of two legs attatching the shock to the frame, so if it did fail it would still be held by the second undamaged leg.

I have found a company in Maidstone that specialize in frame repairs so that may be an option for me also.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I have already message scott as several people recommended him, but he has declined due to the work being on a motorbike frame.

my missus old man is coded tig, but he wont do anything on vehicles. something to do with his contract in work. if one of his welds were to fail or be deemed the cause of an accident, his job is gone

 

[Ducky]

You could try "Artisan Engineering Services - 01474 855 611" located near Brands Hatch Circuit, they did some tig work on an alloy rad of mine which was excellent.

 

[tommy dunlop]

pm sent

 

[DR650s]

Hottrodder
As per request

This is a picture of the crack in the shock mount, I've circled the crack, I've no idea how deep it is, but it does go about 2/3rds across the top above the bolt.

 

[Pete.]

Oooh yeah that's ready to let go. Looks like it's creeping across to the big hole below too.

If the bottom hole is not used I'd re-make both of those from thicker alloy without that big hole and replace both mounts.

 

[DR650s]

Bottom hole is used for mounting the exhaust, some people think that its the vibration from the exhaust that causes the cracking (2 stroke).

 

[Pete.]

Surely if the hole's that big there's a rubber bush in it?

 

[the snooper]

if it was the exhaust causing the cracking i would have thought the crack would be at the bottom looks to me like its the pressure and stress from the dampers

 

[hotrodder]

I suspect that crack probably origionated at a welding flaw... a crater or a bit of undercut at the top corner (look at the bottom corner where the weld meets the bracket, a nice sharp notch) It's looking as though i might be getting a closer look in the near future

 

[DR650s]

Surely if the hole's that big there's a rubber bush in it?

Yes its rubber bushes then a metal spacer, so vibration should be damperend from the frame.

 

[DR650s]

if it was the exhaust causing the cracking i would have thought the crack would be at the bottom looks to me like its the pressure and stress from the dampers

I'm thinking the same, I've seen loads of pictures of the crack developing in the same place on this model of bike, so maybe the original part was not up to spec.

 

[Pete.]

Yeah.

No matter, if Hotrodder is doing it you'll notice a bit of a difference when you get it back

 

[hotrodder]

^^ You jinxed me Pete Bad news day for DR650 i'm afraid ...

The crack did appear to have started from the top corner where the factory weld had undercut the bracket. Same spot on the other side had just started to go. The circled crack had grown almost all the way through the bracket lug...


Pretty scary looking and i hadn't finished with the die grinder yet. Before i fired the welder up i radiused all the sharp edges on the bracket and knocked up a bit of ally to act as a dummy for the shock linkage and exhaust mount. Unfortunately this ment i couldn't see the inside of the bracket while i was welding and while it appeared free of cracks during the initial inspection it didn't afterwoods...

Didn't need DPI to see 'em but i splashed some on to make sure they were obvious in the pics

It's replacement bracket time which is obviously a bit more involved if the bike is going to handle properly afterwoods. Given the section thicknesses involved in that my welder ain't gonna have the balls for it

The listings disappeared but i'm guessing this is what the aftermarket replacements look like... google cache