xs1100 turning into a trike

[DCracer25]

Hope every body had a good turkey day becuase I did. haven't had a chance to work on the trike becuase I was doing the honey do list, if you know what I mean, hanging up christmas lights on the house and all and she informs me we aren't done yet, so it maybe a couple of days before I get to work on the trike.

[DCracer25]

tike build

I took the carbs apart today and as soon as I can get some pinesol I am gonna clean them, also been cleaning up the engine and gonna repaint parts of it and shine up the rest.

[fredintoon]

I took the carbs apart today and as soon as I can get some pinesol I am gonna clean them, also been cleaning up the engine and gonna repaint parts of it and shine up the rest.

Hi Dennis,
seems you need the original Pinesol as the newer stuff don't work as well.
But like any detergent bath, it's only good for cleaning the outside and what really needs cleaning is the insides.
To do that you need a pressure spray can of carb cleaner.
BTW, didja find a set of Special fork legs yet?

[DCracer25]

yes found aset of special forks and calipers on ebay just waiting for the guy to send me a request for money because he said he would combine them for the shipping of the forks. but I still need a front fender for a special.

[crazy steve]

Sent you a PM about the fender....

[TomB]

I know I'm gonna be hated for this but I worry about your safety so am gonna say it.

Your welds are terrible ....and on a trike build with clear and already established strength issues I'd be very tempted to swallow your pride and take the whole chassis to a competent welder and have them all redone.

Just worried for your safety so sorry in advance for the insult, it wasn't meant that way

[fredintoon]

- - - Your welds are terrible ....- - -

Hi Tom,
all you can tell from a photo is that they look terrible.
You'd have to radiograph them to see if they had any penetration.
But yeah, when my welds turn out looking like that I grind them out, increase the amps setting and do them over.
(BTW, no real weld training but 40 years amateur buzzbox work.)

[jwhughes3]

Spatter

I think maybe the excessive spatter makes them look worse than they might be.

I cannot criticize because my welds often wind up being ground and redone because I am not satisfied on initial pass.

Seems if I remember correct you get alot of spatter when the wire shielding isnt good enough or current not enough for deep penetration. Any pros that can give a tip?

I am anxious to see how the body turns out.

John

[DCracer25]

I know my welds don't look pretty, I am useing flux core mig wire. and I have ground down and rewelded. I have put together many of stock cars and roll cages and my welds have always held even when hit head on or blind sided. I have tried every thing in the book for the nice smooth welds but my hands won't stay that still for them. and I know I am getting good penatration because I have had to tear apart some things after welding them and ended up ruining the pieces getting them apart. I am on a budget an to hire a professional welder to weld up all my pieces as I go even though I will change my mind on something I have tacked on there for something better just isn't in my budget. I have even taken classes on welding and the instructor knew up front that my hands won't stay as still as most people. so he showed me a way to weld an make it hold. so it won't be pretty ever. However I do appreciate your concern and take it into consideration. and though it is a considerable expense I will take it and the parts and have them checked.

[jwhughes3]

Not all

Dennis I am sure you are right, because I have seen the same thing on mine....can't get apart without destroying if you change your mind.


I would only check the crucial ones at stress points, not every weld.


Can't wait for more pics!

John

[TopCatGr58]

Shielded flux core wire on my wirefeeder Lincoln also spatters a fair amount. As for the wiggling, I've seen/heard that that technique can actually allow for a better formation of the pool, going in a little circular motion as you move down the seam. I had similar spatter on my trailer that I built to haul my bike on, butt welded 1/4" thick stock for the rails/ramp, ran the weld down both sides to ensure good penetration, has held just great for almost 10 years now!

If you get some actual shied gas and use non-flux core wire, then you can cut down on the spatter considerably, but you need to have a non-windy environment for using the gas. Spatter is for grinders or vice versa!

T.C.

[DCracer25]

I also have a tandem stockcar trailer that I built from scratch 7 yrs ago also has 4 wheel brakes, I have hauled many a stockcar from purestock to 358 modifieds to as far as north carolina and back again with no problem. and many of heavy trucks, with the same welder that I am using now. I plan on changing the welder over to gas and solid wire setup since I replaced the inner shield and found out it is also set up for gas. that way I can use both wires for different things as needed, already have 10lbs spool setup.

[TomB]

all you can tell from a photo is that they look terrible.

True, very true, but (professional) experience tells me that welds that look bad generally are bad.

Radiographing is obviously the way to go but dye-pen is also pretty good at telling if theres any depth penetration or whether the weld is just sat on top.


I enjoyed reading through the thread DCracer25, and really enjoyed the pics, sorry if I insulted earlier.

[DCracer25]

No I don't take what anyone says as an insult, but reading all the comments have kept me on my toes, so to speak. Helps me to stay focased. It is this way I can learn from people who have more experience than I do. This why I am putting this on the forum so others can learn as well as myself. I do enjoy the art of fabricating wheather its right or wrong, if wrong I get to tear it apart and do it over again, if its right then wow I am on the right track. Besides when the project is finished you can say with pride I did that. sure does make ya feel good inside. And it doesn't have to be a beautiful piece of art, just functional. and the most important part is that you enjoy it. I have had peolpe ask me to build them a trailer like mine because it is so functional, but I say no one is because my body won't let me and 2 mine took me several weeks to put together. It may not be pretty but its works, and thats all that matters.

[fredintoon]

True, very true, but (professional) experience tells me that welds that look bad generally are bad.

Hi Tom,
I go by the amateur welder's Mantra:- Length replaces strength
Where a 1" weld length will do, I use 3". Also, gusset plates everywhere.
The only weld I ever had let go was on a sidecar chassis and that one was done at the factory, not by me.