Go Back   Two Wheel Fix > In the Garage or Shop > Aftermarket Modding

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-17-2010, 04:04 PM   #1
Mr Lefty
TWFix Legend
 
Mr Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Denver CO
Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar
Posts: 15,677
Default Welding

anyone do any welding on their bikes? like making racks for luggage?

I'm thinking of making my own racks for some panniers, and maybe a new tail rack that doesn't require me to remove my seat to remove it.

I wanna save money, but also be nice to design it the way I want/need.



so anyone do any welding?
Mr Lefty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2010, 05:10 PM   #2
derf
token jewboy
 
derf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man
Posts: 10,799
Default

Yeh what do you need/want?

I built a car and a bike, a few go carts and a bunch of other stuff.

Are you looking for a design? Of the actual work?

I built a plate holder for my bike and incorporated a quick removal bar for my tail bag so that I have a solid/non-plastic section to strap the bag onto. I'll take a photo in a few so you can get an idea of what I did.
__________________

Last edited by derf; 01-17-2010 at 05:13 PM..
derf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2010, 05:19 PM   #3
Mr Lefty
TWFix Legend
 
Mr Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Denver CO
Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar
Posts: 15,677
Default

just looking for someone to ask questions...

I wanna do the work myself, cause it'd be nice to not have to bug someone else to do any changes/fixes I need.

but yes I'd like to see your tail rack...
Mr Lefty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2010, 05:35 PM   #4
derf
token jewboy
 
derf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man
Posts: 10,799
Default





Thats the plate holder. All it is is a vertical pipe bolted to the subframe using existing bolt holes. That was welded to a horizontal pipe and the steel strip (plate mount). I have a small 2 foot aluminum bar that goes through the horizontal tube and is held in place with a pin and a cotterpin holding the pin in. I designed it so that all i have to do is pull the cotter pin out, th eretaining pin pulls out and the aluminum bar pulls out.

It's for this bag, there are 2 straps in the back that really don't have anywhere to strap on to, so the bag has a habit of inching forward.



Eventually I want to build a set of hard bags and a quick release rack to drop them off.
__________________
derf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2010, 05:42 PM   #5
Mr Lefty
TWFix Legend
 
Mr Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Denver CO
Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar
Posts: 15,677
Default

yeah I want to create racks for a set of pelican 1430 top loading cases... but the racks I see set them too far back IMO... I want them forward of the rear axle, so that the handling of the bike isn't altered as much.

how hard is it to learn to weld?
Mr Lefty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2010, 05:45 PM   #6
Cutty72
Ride Naked.
 
Cutty72's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Flat and Straight ND
Moto: 08 BUELL 1125R, 05 SV650S
Posts: 7,916
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by eBBs15 View Post
yeah I want to create racks for a set of pelican 1430 top loading cases... but the racks I see set them too far back IMO... I want them forward of the rear axle, so that the handling of the bike isn't altered as much.

how hard is it to learn to weld?
Any idiot can weld, just a matter of having the materials and tools. To weld WELL takes a LOT of practice. I've been welding on and off since I was 8. My welds are strong and will hold, but quite often (especially with a stick welder) they look like bird shit.
__________________
Adrenaline... the wonder drug.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gas Man View Post
Again... Cutty you are one smart man!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Chi View Post
If I have to get help to get it back up, I dont need to be riding it.

3662 Supply NCO

Cutty72 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2010, 05:54 PM   #7
Amber Lamps
Moto GP Star
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 14,556
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cutty72 View Post
Any idiot can weld, just a matter of having the materials and tools. To weld WELL takes a LOT of practice. I've been welding on and off since I was 8. My welds are strong and will hold, but quite often (especially with a stick welder) they look like bird shit.
Mig ftw! Yea, when I use a stick welder, it's NOT pretty and will require extensive grinding! Also, you need to decide what materials you want to work with. Iron/steel is a lot easier to work with IMHO but because you are just starting out, perhaps you would be better served starting with aluminum.
Amber Lamps is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2010, 05:58 PM   #8
Mr Lefty
TWFix Legend
 
Mr Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Denver CO
Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar
Posts: 15,677
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TIGGER View Post
Mig ftw! Yea, when I use a stick welder, it's NOT pretty and will require extensive grinding! Also, you need to decide what materials you want to work with. Iron/steel is a lot easier to work with IMHO but because you are just starting out, perhaps you would be better served starting with aluminum.
I've heard welding aluminum is hard... and don't want to use alum, for the racks anyhow
Mr Lefty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2010, 06:02 PM   #9
Amber Lamps
Moto GP Star
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 14,556
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by eBBs15 View Post
I've heard welding aluminum is hard... and don't want to use alum, for the racks anyhow
Okay, just a suggestion... my biggest problem with welding aluminum is the habits and techniques that I've learned welding steel...
Amber Lamps is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2010, 05:51 PM   #10
Amber Lamps
Moto GP Star
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 14,556
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by eBBs15 View Post
yeah I want to create racks for a set of pelican 1430 top loading cases... but the racks I see set them too far back IMO... I want them forward of the rear axle, so that the handling of the bike isn't altered as much.

how hard is it to learn to weld?
Not hard at all. Welding is one of those things that are incredibly easy on paper but is difficult in practice. The best advice that I can give you is to either buy a small, cheap welder and practice, take a class or borrow a welder...

I could explain the theory of welding but you really need to get the stinger in your hands and go for it! There are innumerable videos and books on the subject. You may even be able to get someone from the motor pool to help you out.
Amber Lamps is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:15 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.