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CX Customization and Modifications
Started by photocodo at 07-06-2010 7:27 PM. Topic has 16 replies.
  
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 07-06-2010, 7:27 PM
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photocodo
 
Joined on 06-29-2010
Orlando, FL
Posts 23
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I have a couple welding questions. I would like to cut some bigger knee cut-outs in my tank and fabricate a new cafe racer style rear cowl. What would be the best type of welder to use for thin sheet metal? I have access to a friends 100amp arc welder and another guy has a small 100amp wire feed welder. I know these small welders are not much use for most people but would they be alright for thin metal? Does anyone have much experience with this stuff? If so I would love to hear any feedback or advice that you may have.
Thanks
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebars to the saddle.
1978 cx500 in transition to be a 1978 cx500 cafe racer
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07-06-2010, 7:53 PM
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Lowlife1220
Joined on 03-23-2010
Gilbert,AZ
Posts 172
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i used a gasless wire feed welder to put my fender on. it took a little getting used to but as long as you take your time and use the right helmet so you don't screw up your eyes and gloves so you don't torch your hands the end result is fine. gotta use a wire brush to clean all the flux off before you grind and repair.
1981 Honda Gl500. "Rat" bike
Proud P.U.B.
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07-06-2010, 10:37 PM
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Steve F
Joined on 06-25-2009
Sydney, Australia
Posts 174
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I have used my inverter ARC welder for sheet metal and exhausts etc but it would be way easier with a MIG, go the MIG.
Oh and be real careful welding the tank if it has been in use or at best you'll end up with a football shaped one.
Cheers
Steve
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07-07-2010, 7:56 AM
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photocodo
Joined on 06-29-2010
Orlando, FL
Posts 23
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Thanks guys, once Im ready to start working on it I will get some extra metal and practice on it until Im comfortable working with it. Ill post some pictures when the project gets underway.
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebars to the saddle.
1978 cx500 in transition to be a 1978 cx500 cafe racer
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07-07-2010, 5:31 PM
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pwtsvwt
Joined on 08-10-2008
Richfield, NC, USA
Posts 664
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I've had a Lincoln Weld-Pak 100 for around 12 years. The flux core wire
causes a good deal of splatter, but it does a good job. And, it's
reasonably easy to use.
Yet, I'm not sure you want to do seal welding (fuel tank) with the gasless flux core mig. The flux tends to leave minute bubbles in the weld, making it nearly impossible to make a good seal weld. Although, I suppose a good POR-15 application might make up for some pin holes in the weld.
Bought on Craigslist - Restored from Ebay: 82 GL500I - now without the "I"
--------------------------------------------------------------
I had all my ducks in a row, but they wondered off!
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07-08-2010, 11:42 AM
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NightBiker07
Joined on 04-20-2009
Toledo, OH
Posts 506
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you can weld pretty much anything with a good MIG welder. stick welding sheet metal is tricky. i would use a gas-mig welder, not a gasless. it is easier to get a airtight weld.
when you are done, i would clean the inside of the tank thououghly, and then coat the tank with KREEM or RED-KOTE to keep the welds from rotting from the inside-out.
as for TIG welding it....if you dont have experience doing it, stay away from it. it is the best welding process for fabricating, but it is difficult.
80 CX 500
2000 CR 250 DIRT BIKE!!!!!!!!!!
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07-09-2010, 5:04 PM
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gary50
Joined on 09-02-2008
Posts 250
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I TIG weld, but for sheet metal I'd get a small Lincoln 125 amp MIG wire feed with Argon gas you can do a heck of a lot of welding with that unit. TIG is just too expensive to get started $$$. Welding light guage sheet is kinda tricky. Don't make long runs that will put a lot of heat into the metal it will easily distort. I usually do a pattern much like when torquing a head. tac and then it's like 6-12-3-9 around the clock let it cool and so on. Then you can make short passes. For practice weld all your friends' stuff for free ha ha. Oh yeah good advie on the POR-15 coating after the welding. I've had very good results with that product.
Cheers 50gary
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07-10-2010, 7:57 AM
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photocodo
Joined on 06-29-2010
Orlando, FL
Posts 23
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What is the difference between a wire feed mig and a wire feed mig that has argon gas? What are the differences in performance? Is one harder to use than the other? is there a difference in types of metals you can weld? Im pretty new at the welding thing so I want to make sure Im getting a unit that can do what I want it to do but is easy enough for me to use.
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebars to the saddle.
1978 cx500 in transition to be a 1978 cx500 cafe racer
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07-10-2010, 9:05 AM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,861
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07-10-2010, 11:01 AM
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lucky
Joined on 03-06-2009
kingman az age 26
Posts 1,443
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i have to agree on that one with you stormtrooper i want a extra fuel tank made for my bike but no one in town can weld aluminum diamond plate what i want to do is make a coffin shape tank that i can mount on to my sissy bar that could hold another 2 gallons of fuel.......but no one wants to help me do it
1982 honda cx500c
1979 honda xr185 dirt bike
If you can read this thank a TEACHER If you're reading this in ENGLISH thank a SOLDIER
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07-10-2010, 1:03 PM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,861
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If you find me a welder and supply the materials i'm up for a challenge. Welding isn't hard at all. It's being patient that's hard. Everyone wants to go zap zap done.
Lucky if I were to do your tank I would weld it from the inside. Since you're not going to see the part that's flush with the sissybar that side doesn't matter.
Just make the surrounding shape for the body and a nice front face. In your case backward facing. Then weld it from the inside so you have a perfect pan. Once that's in I would make a rear piece that I could slip in the form and weld solid not to interrupt the diamond plate on the other pieces. Of course before I did that I would weld the petcock and fill cap in. Plus if the metal was flexible in the middle weld in a few support beams so it doesn't cave in or turn into a balloon when full. All the mounting points would be welded to the the rear unseen piece.
And Done.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
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07-16-2010, 9:17 AM
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dbilik
Joined on 07-15-2010
Chicago, IL
Posts 25
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If you are just starting out MIG welding, or TIG, it would be to rent or buy the instructional videos by Ron Covell. I rented them from Smartflix for I think $10 or so. Well worth the money. I have let friends watch them and they have come back welding considerably better.
Personally I prefer to TIG, but like others mentioned, the startup costs were much higher.
1980 CX500 CUSTOM
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07-16-2010, 10:15 AM
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photocodo
Joined on 06-29-2010
Orlando, FL
Posts 23
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Thank you, Ive actually been looking for a good set of instructional DVDs
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebars to the saddle.
1978 cx500 in transition to be a 1978 cx500 cafe racer
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Honda CX500 & G... » CX500 GL500 Tra... » CX Customizatio... » Re: Welding sheet metal
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