Hi Can anyone point me in the right direction to get my 749 aluminium rear sub frame straightened and welded? Found a couple of places, but starting 'from' £250 which seems a bit excessive!! Thanks
I had a snapped subframe on my 749s. I found a highly skilled welder to repair it. I think he inserted a small piece of material in the hollow tubes to strenghten the repair. It didn't cost much, something like £25! I eventually found out that this was a well documented weak point, so I contacted my dealer who got the go ahead from Ducati to fit a new stronger type subframe F.O.C
Yes I've heard there's a bit of a weak point!! Sadly the bend was due to an accident and needs un bending
I'm not an expert, but I would have thought that some judicious use of heat and carefull and skillful tweaking with the aid of a vice should have it straightened up. Can you post a photo of your sub frame? Maybe someone could advise on the possibility of repair.
If you attempt to un-bend it (or straighten it) yourself, do not heat it so much that the ally turns red otherwise you will be looking at another break.
That's funny......it has always turned red when I put a blowtorch flame on aluminium parts like brake and gear pedals.......and that's when they break...... .....they will bend/straighten before they get red hot....... Still.........I'll leave it to the ex-spurts with their 'molten liquid'.......or 'melts'.
Depending on whether you have any hard kinks/ messy fractures straightening may not be too bad. Plenty of Tig welders about but it always takes a while to find one who is reasonably priced
Here are some pics.. http://nevstah.co.uk/subframe/1.jpg http://nevstah.co.uk/subframe/2.jpg Thanks for the info guys! Not sure i have the confidence to get heat on it myself
Try someone who uses a Motoliner jig. Such as Maidstone motoliner, they have sorted a few things for me in the past. Motorcycle Frame and Wheel Straightening Experts - Maidstone Motoliner Ltd
If i attempt to straighten myself, does anyone know if i should be heating it up? Either before or after? And if so, how hot does it need to get?
You shouldn't heat up aluminium for bending. Only after it's been bent back into shape. Heating it mildly after bending will help relieve the stress.
Cheers, what do you call mildly? Leave it in the sun on a hot day? Bung it in the oven at 250°c fan? Or are we talking hotter? And how long do you keep it hot for? Sorry for all the questions but this isn't my expertise and if rather do it right if i can
A tip to annealing aluminium is to rub it with some soap first, then gently heat it until the soap turns black. As soon as it turns colour that's about the right temperature.
