Frame welding

[Oltcit]

Hi!
Does somebody know someone who can weld my alu frame?
I am in London, I have asked many car mechanic, factories, bike shops, but nobody....
I have now only a small scratch.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

There is very little chance that the job will be successful. It requires heat treatment and possibly shot-peening after the job in order for the weld to not cause localized weakness. There are some areas on a frame that can be welded but none of these are the types of places where the frame usually cracks.

 

[Oltcit]

There is very little chance that the job will be successful. It requires heat treatment and possibly shot-peening after the job in order for the weld to not cause localized weakness. There are some areas on a frame that can be welded but none of these are the types of places where the frame usually cracks.

The chainstay cracked after the small bridge, or I dont know the name of this small connector tube. Yes, obviously the strength wont be same anymore, without heat treatment, but least i would like to try, if I could use for couple of years more i could be happy. I have bought a lot of new parts just now for this bike, so if I need to give up this frame and buy a new bike, it could be a huge money wastage for me. I have heard some stories about same crack and fixing, and it works, just I dont know anybody who can weld it.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I haven't got the expertise to know whether that is repairable or not, but it is on the most highly stressed part of the frame. Unless it is an expensive frame you want to save I'd be looking for a replacement.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I would suggest a different approach to that job. As it is, it failed because the heat treatment after welding didn't do its job. Welding it there will move the new crack a few cms further to the back. Seeing that it is in a practically invisible place, rather find someone to wrap it with carbon weave and epoxy, as you would do a repair on a carbon bike.

 

[Ajax Bay]

I have bought a lot of new parts just now for this bike, so if I need to give up this frame and buy a new bike, it could be a huge money wastage for me.

You can put all/most of the new parts you've bought on a new (or second hand) frame. Suggest you consider that solution.

 

[fossyant]

New frame. Looks like you look after it, not !!!

 

[Citius]

Can't see the frame - too much dirt in the way.

 

[Profpointy]

Assuming the frame itself is nothing special - it has failed after all - far eastern alloy frames can be had pretty cheaply. Even the St J st ycles(thorn) were knocking them out a few years back as they'd got a.job lot - so look out for something from one of the respectable suppliers- though not likely a branded item

 

[Profpointy]

by the.way - where's the crack - the peeled off.bit is stuck.on isnt it. Or have I missed a wind up?

 

[Smurfy]

Sorry but I think the frame is dead. Interesting that the crack is next to what looks like a neoprene chainstay protector. Possibly this is a case of stress corrosion cracking, fed by water trapped by the chainstay protector and all the dirt. Winter road gritting would significantly speed up this process.

by the.way - where's the crack - the peeled off.bit is stuck.on isnt it. Or have I missed a wind up?

I assume it is the white line (exposed primer) just above the chainstay protector.

 

[Profpointy]

Sorry but I think the frame is dead. Interesting that the crack is next to what looks like a neoprene chainstay protector. Possibly this is a case of stress corrosion cracking, fed by water trapped by the chainstay protector and all the dirt. Winter road gritting would significantly speed up this process.


I assume it is the white line (exposed primer) just above the chainstay protector.

Ah yes, I see the crack now. Scrap it !

 

[Tom B]

I'd get on eBay, Gumtree, the classifieds section here, police auction or the LBS and explain you are looking for JUST the frame.
You can often pick up striped down frame or something with sqaure wheels dirt cheap you can move over your new parts (and old parts except the frame) to the undamaged frame.

 

[sidevalve]

That is way too far gone. Only a VERY highly specialized welder could even attempt such a job. Just get a replacement frame.

 

[Illaveago]

There is a Swedish product made for the aerospace industry that you can sometimes find at Vintage or Classic Motorcycle shows for welding aluminium using a butane gas torch.It consists of a small roll of special aluminium wire which you apply and scrape with a screwdriver, it flows a bit like solder. The demonstration samples withstand people trying to break the joints, the original metal breaking before the weld.
The split in your frame looks like a stress fracture, have you been riding in too high a gear?
As other posts have mentioned your frame may be beyond it though.