Author Topic: Stock frame welds..... (Read 3200 times)

87cclR · « **on:** March 11, 2015, 09:08:21 PM »

I'm sure it's been discussed or brought up, but the factory welds on my 87R are just horrible looking. I've been in the process of cutting off wire guides, tabs, the rear reservoir mount, etc. Then smoothing the cuts by MIG welding and smoothing with a flap wheel. Problem is, the more I do, the worse the existing welds look by comparison. It's got me a little OCD, lol. I can now see how a "6 week rebuild" turns into 6
months. Anyway. Just venting.

to clarify - I edited the original post and added the word "looking" after the word horrible. I never meant to indicate that the factory welds aren't strong or sufficient, just that they're not the most pleasant to look at. Sorry for the verbiage and confusion. I tend to be super particular about my welding, lol, and it's spilled over into the project.

patman13mia · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2015, 09:41:05 PM »

Hold up so are you grinding old welds away and welding new ones? If youre grinding stuff off hat are you welding in place??

Pumashine · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2015, 09:41:38 PM »

The frame welding on the 87 can be cleaned up by removing dingle berries here and there. But the penetration and weld quality would pass any strength test. You can see that many welds were done by a robot. You will see a 1/2" lead in and lead out on these welds. These are not "extra" welds. The robot senses the resistance, welds up to the the 2 pieces that need to be joined, then welds these 2 pieces and continues on its way so if parts are off by +or - 1/4" everything gets welded. The clown on the other site (Carlos) claims the frames were welded by females with minimum weld skills. He is not a welder or builder so his opinion is worthless. I would say for mig welds these are as close to perfect as could be for a production orientated product. I have seen some real bird chit welds but am convinced these were done by amateurs trying to repair a crash. I remove many of the unneeded tabs here and there and can tell you the welds are freaking near perfect.

87cclR · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2015, 09:44:33 PM »

What I'm doing is smoothing and filling. I'm a certified MIG/TIG welder, so I know better than to corrupt the integrity of the substrate and the penetration of said substrate. Anyway. Mostly I'm cleaning up the splatter, removing tabs and the bendable wiring clips, cleaning it up. Anyway.

patman13mia · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2015, 09:53:08 PM »

I gotcha and im not questioning your ability.. Just curious as ive also grinded off all tabs n whatnot and never had anything left to fill in except a gusset kit.

87cclR · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2015, 10:04:41 PM »

No worries. I realize that the intent of my original post didn't match my words (stupid words...) so I edited it for clarity. Lol.

87cclR · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2015, 10:08:50 PM »

No argument on the strength and the penetration of those welds, they're in there, lol. I edited my original post for clarity. What I really meant and didn't express properly is that the welds look pretty ruff. I get super particular about my welds, it's like an art to me, if that makes any sense. As far as the "clown" comment (Carlos), couldn't agree more, I have my reasons, and I'll leave it at saying that he'll never have me as a customer in any capacity. There's a lot of other companies out there who WANT to do business, and I'll be happy to stick with them.

patman13mia · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2015, 10:14:16 PM »

Its cool dude.. Words get construed all the time on the Internet.. Anyways maybe post some pics of some of those welds and whatnot could help some people out ya never know

87cclR · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2015, 10:23:54 PM »

May do just that. Once I figure how to post pics from mobile :/