Welding subframe

I have a 99 VFR and took two long trips this year with loaded GIVI luggage and just noticed that the tube that crosses the subframe that the frankenbolts go in (awa where the Givi tubular frame attaches) is cracked just to the outside of the subframe. I need to get this welded but am concerned since TIG welding is electric that the process might kill some of the bike's electrical components. What all do I need to do to prevent this? I considered removing the subframe but that looks like a lot of work just to run a small bead of weld. Any suggestions?

Vic


---------------------------------
Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now.
_______________________________________________
vfr mailing list
vfr@xxxxxx
For subscription and delivery options:
https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr

On Thursday 15Nov, 2007, at 3:08 PM, vic5491@xxxxxx wrote:

> I have a 99 VFR and took two long trips this year with loaded GIVI
> luggage and just noticed that the tube that crosses the subframe
> that the frankenbolts go in (awa where the Givi tubular frame
> attaches) is cracked just to the outside of the subframe. I need
> to get this welded but am concerned since TIG welding is electric
> that the process might kill some of the bike's electrical
> components. What all do I need to do to prevent this? I
> considered removing the subframe but that looks like a lot of work
> just to run a small bead of weld. Any suggestions?
>
The usual suggestion is to pull the battery and disconnect your EFI
computer, IIRC. There's a big welding thread over on ADVrider, and
I'm sure that someone's answered this question there:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=282549

guess there's two:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210053

later,
Johnj


_______________________________________________
vfr mailing list
vfr@xxxxxx
For subscription and delivery options:
https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr

I'd disconnect the battery, and the fuses?
Just a guess. -turgut


vic5491@xxxxxx wrote:
> I have a 99 VFR and took two long trips this year with loaded GIVI
> luggage and just noticed that the tube that crosses the subframe that
> the frankenbolts go in (awa where the Givi tubular frame attaches) is
> cracked just to the outside of the subframe. I need to get this
> welded but am concerned since TIG welding is electric that the process
> might kill some of the bike's electrical components. What all do I
> need to do to prevent this? I considered removing the subframe but
> that looks like a lot of work just to run a small bead of weld. Any
> suggestions?
>
> Vic
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you with Yahoo Mobile.
> Try it now.
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> vfr mailing list
> vfr@xxxxxx
> For subscription and delivery options:
> https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr

_______________________________________________
vfr mailing list
vfr@xxxxxx
For subscription and delivery options:
https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr

John, thanks for the links. I read them both. The first link led to a thread that was more nearly a discussion of welding vs. brazing while the second thread had to do with welding aluminum and plasma cutting. There was no mention of what precautions one needs to take before welding on a bike with a TIG (electric) welder. I don't know if I need to -

-disconnect the battery
-disconnect and remove the RR
-disconnect the ECM
-all of the above
-remove the whole damned subframe

I have disconnected the battery and removed the RR so I know what is involved in that. Looking at the manual, it should not be a major deal to disconnect the ECM (although sometimes old connectors don't come loose easily and can be a hassle). To remove and replace the subframe however looks like a day's work and more than a little hassle so I would like to avoid that option.

If someone can tell me definitively what I need to do to be sure I don't screw something up I would appreciate it.

Vic




< computer, IIRC. There's a big welding thread over on ADVrider, and
I'm sure that someone's answered this question there:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=282549

guess there's two:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210053>>




---------------------------------
Be a better pen pal. Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how.
_______________________________________________
vfr mailing list
vfr@xxxxxx
For subscription and delivery options:
https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr

vic5491@xxxxxx wrote:
> I have disconnected the battery and removed the RR so I know what is
> involved in that. Looking at the manual, it should not be a major deal
> to disconnect the ECM (although sometimes old connectors don't come
> loose easily and can be a hassle). To remove and replace the subframe
> however looks like a day's work and more than a little hassle so I would
> like to avoid that option.

If you have already disconnected the battery and R/R, then there should
be no path of current flow through any devices on the bike. In theory,
this will prevent any damage to any electrical systems because components
cannot be damaged when no current is flowing (high voltage doesn't hurt).

Unfortunately, I'm no expert in this area so I can't offer any real
assurances.

But I would think this would be a major problem in cars if simply
disconnecting the battery didn't solve the problem, since nearly every
electrical component in a car is grounded through the frame. It would
be a major piece of work to disconnect them all.

just my 2c
Chris


--
*********************************
Chris Merrill
cmerrill@xxxxxx
*********************************
_______________________________________________
vfr mailing list
vfr@xxxxxx
For subscription and delivery options:
https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr

A damage can only occur if there is current flowing THRU the R/R or EFI
or some electronic component.
For that to happen, it needs BOTH a ground connection, and connection to
its positive wire.

Therefore I don't think anything can happen to the bike if you just
disconnect the battery..
-turgut

_______________________________________________
vfr mailing list
vfr@xxxxxx
For subscription and delivery options:
https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr

I called Lincoln Electric and spoke with one of their guys who said it should be fine to TIG weld without disconnecting anything. He did say to put the "ground" clamp close to the weld and that I could disconnect the battery just to be safe if I wanted to. I then heard from a friend who felt that disconnecting the battery was sufficient as well. Went to a local welder who works on bikes a fair amount and he said all I needed to do was disconnect the negative battery cable. Sounded like a concensus to me. Did so and all if fine.

Thanks for the thoughts!

Vic


---------------------------------
Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage.
_______________________________________________
vfr mailing list
vfr@xxxxxx
For subscription and delivery options:
https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr

Ed, that is what I learned from several sources and had the work done yesterday and not a problem. Thanks.

Vic

<
Thanks to my "ambitious" program of packing panniers, I have been
afforded
the opportunity to have both sides of my subframe rewelded at the
frankenbolt points. In both cases, the welder told me that
disconnecting
the battery was sufficient to protect the electronics.

In both cases, the welder was correct.

Ed Moore
>>


---------------------------------
Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage.
_______________________________________________
vfr mailing list
vfr@xxxxxx
For subscription and delivery options:
https://lists.cs.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/vfr