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could i stick weld a sportster frame? or do you really have to tig weld it? or at least tack itLast edited by hillbillie; 03-13-2008 at 04:42 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by hillbilliecould i stick weld a sportster frame? or do you really have to tig weld it? or at least tack it
Reply:Rojo is telling you right. I have welded on sportster frames using 7018 and had no problems, not even with weld on hardtails and they take a beating. Keep in mind if it breaks at the very least it is gonna hurt (roadrash sucks, don't ask how I know, lmao) and at the worst someone winds up dead.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:thanks guys .it is a modification, some one told me to cut it in half and change the angel on the backbone .i want a soft tail frame without spending a lot of money.So now your makring me think that i should buy a new frame.Is it the vibration that will mess things up from stickwelding it ,or would it help to mig it?
Reply:Any process will work if you do it propeerly.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:[QUOTE=hillbillie;172957]thanks guys .it is a modification, some one told me to cut it in half and change the angel on the backbone .i want a soft tail frame without spending a lot of money.So now your makring me think that i should buy a new frame.Is it the vibration that will mess things up from stickwelding it ,or would it help to mig it?Last edited by hillbillie; 03-16-2008 at 08:47 AM.
Reply:One more ?. What did they do in the 60's-70's on there choppers .all they had was stick welders,all im trying to do is get it to gether to ride this year to save money . but im not trying to kill my self.Im going to use a rapearond plat and gussets to hold it to gether.So what do you all think. thanks hillbillie
Reply:If you have doubts about your ability to weld it, just get a professional to do the welding after you have done all of the cutting and fit up.  Laying things out is where the bulk of the work is.  Rene
Reply:Zerepener has a good point. If you can weld pretty well, you can do it. I think getting it just tacked together and having a friend weld it up if you are unsure is a good idea, too.  Your plan sounds good, so I would just be really meticulus, and be sure you keep the frame straight- use a frame jig of some sort, or it will drive crooked. The beauty is HD frames are a joy to work with, because they weld easily. But if the frame is crooked, you may drive a straight line well, but when you turn either left, or right, you may wind up on your head!!! When I raced motorcycles, we used to ride bikes with mildly bent frames pretty often. You would be able to just fly through a left hander, and then a right hand corner would almost kill you. Or, something bizarre like hitting the brakes while turning- instant washout. Jig it securely STRAIGHTand LEVEL, and you can do this. Don't be afraid to post up some pictures, lots of people here will have good ideas for you.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RAny process will work if you do it propeerly.David
Reply:What everyone else said is true. It's possible to stick weld a Harley frame with little problem. A larger issue would be getting tne neck on straight. It would require at least some effort at building a rudimentary jig. I've been riding motorcycles for many years and I can't tell you how many choppers and other bikes I've seen with modified fork heads. Half of those would be considered crooked if measured. You can see it when the bike runs down the road when you watch from behind. If you can do it straight, then it would be fine but without some way to check it, I wouldn't even attempt such a job. Another issue would be resale value but you didn't ask about that.
Reply:It dont matter about resale i want the bike to be differen then any other sportster out there.and i lisen to the wrong person an cut the frame 2'' past the mid controles,an 2'' past the bottom tank mount.Ill put some pices up real soon so i can get your oppenones on it.But if i cant do this ill be like every jo blow an buy a hard tail frame,with i dont want to do that.ill put pices up in a day or two.  The reason for all the questones is that im moveing the hole motor forword the 6''.An adding a new rear motor mont,and a big twin oil tank. I didnt mess with the neak at all.thanks guysLast edited by hillbillie; 03-16-2008 at 07:31 PM.Reason: I forgot this
Reply:Weld it with A/O, stick, MIG, even TIG. Any one of them will work just fine.
Reply:how do you post attachments? im trying to post pics.
Reply:i got it now!