To Remove Subframe or Not

Ignacio · Mar 26, 2007

Not often I chuck out a new question, but I'm throwing this one out in case there are some TIG experts out here.

I need to have my rear subframe repaired and strengthened because of several cracks. I'm sure welding it will work and all, but the question is whether to risk welding it in place or removing the subframe and taking it to the welder. I understand there are some high frequencies generated that may risk frying components (like my rear ABS sensor) even if I disconnect the battery and ground things well.

More discussion and pictures here.

Geezer · Mar 26, 2007

I don't know about the electronic issue but I think your welded part is more likely to fit well if it is welded in place.

keithaba · Mar 26, 2007

In about 3 weeks I will be able to tell you exactly what it entails to remove the entire rear sub frame as I will be replacing mine. I also have the ABS model so I could probably document it the whole procedure with pics and post it. Just so you had an idea of time and what you are in for.

IMHO, I would think it would make the job much easier for the welder if it was removed. But then again, I'm not a welder.

Scab · Mar 26, 2007

My opinion is that the welder is going to need that thing removed. Cleaning and grooving will prolly be near imposible without removal but essential to a quality weld repair. Pull it.

Mike-H · Mar 26, 2007

Iggy....as a tig welder (CWB, TSSA certified) & former car shop owner....remove the sub....don't attempt it in place unless of course you have spare electronics...

.....

Ignacio · Mar 26, 2007

Mike-H said:
Iggy....as a tig welder (CWB, TSSA certified) & former car shop owner....remove the sub....don't attempt it in place unless of course you have spare electronics... .....

That's what I was looking for...some affirmation from a welder. I'll be taking it off this weekend and will take some pictures.

05fjrBluedevil · Mar 26, 2007

Ignacio said:
Mike-H said:

Iggy....as a tig welder (CWB, TSSA certified) & former car shop owner....remove the sub....don't attempt it in place unless of course you have spare electronics... .....

Click to expand...

That's what I was looking for...some affirmation from a welder. I'll be taking it off this weekend and will take some pictures.

good because the stator would have been mush afterwards

rickysnickers · Mar 26, 2007

How did it break in the first place?

Rick

Ignacio · Mar 26, 2007

05fjrBluedevil said:
good because the stator would have been mush afterwards

Not necessarily so. Tobie's '03 had the same crack (plus som) TIG welded while subframe attached. He hasn't reported any issues with the stator nor other components.

rickysnickers said:
How did it break in the first place?
Rick

I discussed all in the link below the picture.

Alex · Mar 26, 2007

I've had cracks fixed on my last FJR, however, we used a MIG welder. We just unpluged the CPU and pulled the plastic bits away. Clean the paint off with a stripper or good stainless brush. I then found some metallic silver paint, matched perfectly. It ended up stronger than origional.

I'm no professional welder but the friend of mine that did it was. Watched him perform the fix.

ChrisW · Mar 26, 2007

Alex said:
I've had cracks fixed on my last FJR, however, we used a MIG welder. We just unpluged the CPU and pulled the plastic bits away. I'm no professional welder but the friend of mine that did it was. Watched him perform the fix.

I had some repairs done to the subframe on my VFR twice. And the Givi rack's two other times. Never an issue. I think it was a MIG welder each time. I don't think I ever even unplugged my battery.

Good luck.

Barabus · Mar 26, 2007

In the movie Long Way Around, a welded frame blew the ABS. If it were mine, then I would not chance it.

dcarver · Mar 26, 2007

Ignacio said:
I need to have my rear subframe repaired and strengthened because of several cracks. I'm sure welding it will work and all, but the question is whether to risk welding it in place or removing the subframe and taking it to the welder. I understand there are some high frequencies generated that may risk frying components (like my rear ABS sensor) even if I disconnect the battery and ground things well.

Whad Up Iggie? JB Weld and a hose clamp not good enough for you anymore?

Ignacio · Mar 27, 2007

dcarver said:
Whad Up Iggie? JB Weld and a hose clamp not good enough for you anymore?

Call me crazy, but if I'm going to pay an ungodly amount of money, take 3 weeks of vacation to wander North America and have a laptop, digital camera, and other goodies in that expensive Pelican case bolted to the subframe....I figure I'm gonna be a little bit of a Nervous Nelly on this one and go to the trouble.

...besides I ran out of JB weld fixing the fuel cell

GunMD · Mar 27, 2007

Alex said:
I'm no professional welder but the friend of mine that did it was. Watched him perform the fix.

This started to sound like a Holiday Inn Express commercial.

Barabus said:
In the movie Long Way Around, a welded frame blew the ABS. If it were mine, then I would not chance it.

Great movie. And Iggy if your weld fails you can always purchase a Russian motorcycle to get you around. :dribble:

To Remove Subframe or Not

Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:

Ignacio

Intramural Culture Warrior

Geezer

Parsimonious Curmudgeon

keithaba

Well-known member

Scab

I got nothin' here...

Mike-H

Independent

Ignacio

Intramural Culture Warrior

05fjrBluedevil

Well-known member

rickysnickers

Well-known member

Ignacio

Intramural Culture Warrior

Alex

Well-known member

ChrisW

Well-known member

Barabus

Well-known member

dcarver

Well-known member

Ignacio

Intramural Culture Warrior

GunMD

Well-known member

Similar threads

Latest posts

To Remove Subframe or Not

Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:

Intramural Culture Warrior

Parsimonious Curmudgeon

Well-known member

I got nothin&#39; here...

Independent

Intramural Culture Warrior

Well-known member

Well-known member

Intramural Culture Warrior

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Intramural Culture Warrior

Well-known member

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!

I got nothin' here...