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Frame material?

  • DIYOllie
    DIYOllie
    11 months
    Hello lads, looks like it’s time to get the mittens out.
    Would anyone know which metal Harley uses for their frames ?
    Is it steel or chromoly ?
    I have a 2016 Dyna that is getting a kickstand welded on…
    Thanks 
  • John.R
    John.R
    11 months
    It would just be regular steel, shouldn't have any dramas. I've welded cross members etc onto Harley frames with nil issue.
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    11 months
    Dont mean to be a pedantic prick  John but Ive worked with metal my whole life. Been a fitter since 1988 and I dont think I have  ever heard the term "regular steel".
    What do you consider is " regular steel "  ?
    I would be finding out exactly what the frame is made of and what rods or wire you need to use to weld it and get an experienced bloke to do the job.
    Why do you need to weld a sidestand on the bike Ollie ?
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    11 months
    The frame would be low carbon mild steel.
    Any general mig wire like ER70 will work.
  • John.R
    John.R
    11 months
    Quoting beaglebasher on 09 May 2023 09:39 AMedited: 09 May 2023 09:51 AM

    Dont mean to be a pedantic prick  John but Ive worked with metal my whole life. Been a fitter since 1988 and I dont think I have  ever heard the term "regular steel".

    What do you consider is " regular steel "  ?
    I would be finding out exactly what the frame is made of and what rods or wire you need to use to weld it and get an experienced bloke to do the job.
    Why do you need to weld a sidestand on the bike Ollie ?

    Shit I can weld with ER70, mild steel (not stainless, not high carbon, not something exotic, just general structural steel), which funnily enough is what was suggested below, and what I used, albeit TIG haha 

    Its a Harley, not a rocket, no need to overthink it. 
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    11 months
    More importantly ... the question becomes what is "irregular steel"?
    Is it vegan? (no - that's simply 'unloved steel')
    Is it gay? (no - that's 'bent' steel - maybe where corrugated steel originated from)
    I am sure there are more....

  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    11 months
    I reckon with the extensive knowledge and experience  that you have you should offer to weld on old mates side stand .
    What do you do for a job John?

  • John.R
    John.R
    11 months
    If he was local I would.

    I take your point, ideally you'd know exactly what grade it it is, what welding process is required, but we're talking bout a side stand. Knowing regular mild steel is good enough.

    Otherwise to what end do you take it?  Make Harley send you the certifications of the tubing they use for frame? Sacrifice a WOVR frame to send a sample to get analysed? Sight your welders credentials for said dpec and then get the weld xrayd?

    I get the theory and generally like to be pedantic, but don't lose sight of the bigger picture.


    As for my work, I vaguely identify metal on forums haha.
  • 408
    408
    11 months
    Motorcycle repair shops have no trouble writing off a bike if there is damage to the frame. A small dent or crack is sufficient.
    The reason being it is difficult to ensure the structural integrity of the frame after any repair work.
    I would certainly not be interested in buying a bike that a home handyman had done any welding on.
  • DIYOllie
    DIYOllie
    11 months
    Quoting beaglebasher on 09 May 2023 09:39 AMedited: 09 May 2023 09:51 AM

    Dont mean to be a pedantic prick  John but Ive worked with metal my whole life. Been a fitter since 1988 and I dont think I have  ever heard the term "regular steel".

    What do you consider is " regular steel "  ?
    I would be finding out exactly what the frame is made of and what rods or wire you need to use to weld it and get an experienced bloke to do the job.
    Why do you need to weld a sidestand on the bike Ollie ?

    It’s to have that type welded on :

    IMG_8568.jpeg
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    11 months
    Quoting tussuck on 09 May 2023 11:09 AM

    More importantly ... the question becomes what is "irregular steel"?

    Is it vegan? (no - that's simply 'unloved steel')
    Is it gay? (no - that's 'bent' steel - maybe where corrugated steel originated from)
    I am sure there are more....

    Haha, best comment this week 
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    11 months
    Quoting beaglebasher on 09 May 2023 09:39 AMedited: 09 May 2023 09:51 AM

    Dont mean to be a pedantic prick  John but Ive worked with metal my whole life. Been a fitter since 1988 and I dont think I have  ever heard the term "regular steel".

    What do you consider is " regular steel "  ?
    I would be finding out exactly what the frame is made of and what rods or wire you need to use to weld it and get an experienced bloke to do the job.
    Why do you need to weld a sidestand on the bike Ollie ?

    Quoting DIYOllie on 09 May 2023 11:46 PM

    It’s to have that type welded on :


    IMG_8568.jpeg
    What happened to the original sidestand Ollie ?
  • obisteve
    obisteve
    11 months
    Quoting tussuck on 09 May 2023 11:09 AM

    More importantly ... the question becomes what is "irregular steel"?

    Is it vegan? (no - that's simply 'unloved steel')
    Is it gay? (no - that's 'bent' steel - maybe where corrugated steel originated from)
    I am sure there are more....

    Corrugated Steel? That's bent steel that swings each way.
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