Welding on a Valkyrie

[RDKLL]

Can you weld on a Valk frame? the reason Im asking, I will be welding tabs on the swing arm for a bobber fender and will also be welding perches for the little seat shocks for the new bobber seat, thanks in advance.

[JimC]

It can be done, but at a minimum you have to hook the ground clamp close to the weld area so the current flows directly to the weld. In other words, don't hook the ground at the rear of the bike and weld on the front or the current will flow through the entire frame and you take the chance of burning out anything electronic.

Years ago I ran a hydraulic truck crane that continually cracked the solid mounted axle housings. We hired a welding shop to come out and repair the cracks. The welder would come out and hook his ground to the front of the crane on the frame and then weld the rear housings up.

After several repairs we realized that we had to replace the alternators in both front and rear motors every time he did this. We figured it was because the current flow was traveling throughout the frame and everything attached to it when he was welding.  Once he started hooking the ground next to the area he was welding, we no longer had that problem.

With that said, if I was going to weld on mine I would unhook all electronic devices from the bike just to be on the safe side.

Jim

[RDKLL]

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I posted this on the VRCC FB page as well...disconnect the battery and the ICM too...

[John Schmidt]

I agree, connect the ground near the work. That's what I did on my 1200 Wing so I could mount the fender to the swingarm and have it move with it. You can see where the fresh paint is, I welded that tab to the back end of the s/a but ground the paint off so the adjacent area was bare. Attached my ground clamp there just 2-3" from the work area. The right side was easy, no welding involved except to tack a nut on the back side, which I also did to the left side. The right side is where the axle nut is on the 1200 so I just cut and shaped a piece of scrap, then drilled a hole large enough for the axle to pass through it.

Left side.


Right side.

[Patrick]

Another reason for grounding close to the weld point is not allowing current thru any bearing.

[MarkT]

I have MIG welded on Deerslayer many times.  Didn't disconnect anything, just put the clamp nearby.  Never a problem yet.  Just lucky I guess.

[pancho]

Not really,,,, if you keep the ground clamp close to the work, it is not as dangerous as some may think....  not saying it isn't a good idea to take precautions,, most are just over rated.

[DK]

Never hurts to disconnect the battery ground and ICM especially if you're tigging it.

[DK]

I have MIG welded on Deerslayer many times.  Didn't disconnect anything, just put the clamp nearby.  Never a problem yet.  Just lucky I guess.

HIgh Frequency with TIG can wreak havoc in enexpected ways although I've never done worse than piss the neighbors.

I'm scared of it with delicate electronics based on storyies I've heard from other welders.

Dan