Motorcycle Racing Forum

Motorcycle Racing => Wrenching => Topic started by: JRM504 on July 16, 2012, 06:15:23 PM

Title: Is this fixable
Post by: JRM504 on July 16, 2012, 06:15:23 PM
Suffered a crash at NJ this past weekend and rearset caught curbing and snapped the mounting stud attached to frame. Any one ever have something like this fixed? 
Title: Re: Is this fixable
Post by: Woofentino Pugrossi on July 16, 2012, 09:09:22 PM
Just find a good welder who does aluminum. Yes I've seen those tabs welded back on other bikes with no issue.
Title: Re: Is this fixable
Post by: GSXR RACER MIKE on July 17, 2012, 08:09:44 AM
I believe that's cast aluminum which shouldn't be an issue to weld with a TIG or MIG, more of an issue will be getting to it with the welding equipment if your going to try and weld the broken tab back on. In order to get a good dependable strong weld you really need it welded all the way round, including the back side, that means your going to need to get the swingarm out of the way. I wouldn't suggest trying to reattach the broken piece because it's broken midway thru the thread and it will be difficult to get the threads to line up between the 2 halves, you can try clamping the broken piece to the frame over a screw threaded in place to try and get the threads to line up, but that doesn't always work out so well and often times results in the tapped hole being sloppy because the broken pieces didn't fit back together like they need to.

The other option is to build up the area with all weld and re-drill a new hole using the rearset as a guide to the holes location. I'm a Tool & Die Maker so I personally would go this route, but if you don't have access to metal working equipment (or know someone who does) your going to have to improvise and figure out a way to machine the weld flat and parallel with the other existing tab. Of course if you find a welder who is also a machinist or fabricator they should be able to also do that for you.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Is this fixable
Post by: LoneStar on July 17, 2012, 11:24:32 AM
Common issue with Ducati.  SpeedyMoto even sells tabs for Ducati to replace the OEM frame tabs that are more likely to bend rather than snap off.
This is no biggie.  Find a good welder.
Title: Re: Is this fixable
Post by: JRM504 on July 17, 2012, 07:11:36 PM
Thanks everyone. Will be contacting welding shop soon!