Bought a used frame that needs a couple welds redone as well as some previous amateur repairs fixed, have a decent arc welder but need to know what the best rods to use on the frame would be. Don't know what kind of metal the frame is made up of so looking for suggestions. Also if anyone has close up pictures of a 1987 250x without the fenders on (frame visible) I would appreciate it as I want to add some reinforcement to the frame to prevent future cracks but don't want to get in the way of other parts (ie: engine, exhaust etc...)

 

I can not give any spicific help but I will give you some advice. Welding frames is not something for ammatures. Load it up in your truck and take it to a welding shop. The tubing is fairly thin walled and a stick welder will blow holes in it. Further, incorrect welding will cause the welds to break quickly.

Charlie

 

I don't know alot about welding, just a little. Boxofrox is right, I think arc welding has to much heat for the frame. I would suggest MIG or TIG welds. A metal or fabricating shop should be able to do these. Another suggestion, if you have any trade or tech schools near you with welding programs, they might weld it for you (student/instructor),usually free or very cheap. Daniel

 

ya shop calls is cool for that but i wouldt trust some idiot kid(like me)
doing it.
Im note sure of the thickness of the walls so i cant help.

 

Actually consider myself very proficient at welding, did it for years on
cars and bikes as well as industrial apps., just wanted to verify what
the metal content on the quad frames was, I usually use 6011's on bikes
but didn't want to assume that the quads were the same. As far as application, with correct settings and a decent welder there shouldn't
be any problem blowing holes, usually only happens on thin gauge metal or with an inexperienced person using the wrong settings.

 

you shouldnt use an arc, it'll heat the metal up too much and make the metal around the weld weak, i'll bet you all the money in my checking account that if you do it with an arc welder, you start getting cracks in the metal around your weld. use a wire fed welder, or mig. there's not any perfect way to do it, a welded frame is always worse than one that's not welded, but you can make it work. i've got a freind that races his 400ex, a very talented guy, but he's been racing motorcross for the past 2 years with a broken frame, so it can be done, my tecate's even got a welded up frame, but i dont like doin it, just be sure to use a wire fed welder if you can.

 

Well... I chickened out and took it to a welding shop near
where I work, got it welded up as well as some gussetts (sp?)
installed to strengthen it up, had a chance to talk to the owner
while the guys in the shop were working on it. They sell welding
supplies so figured I would check prices, turned out to be very
informative, first I learned is that heat is not an issue, both
flux and arc will heat pretty much the same using correct settings.
Was also told that they do not sell or support flux core as the
owner thinks the welds are inferior to anything else, owners quote
was "flux core turns pro's into amateurs..." suggested straight mig
or arc. He seemed to thing a good arc welder was the best choice
but did note that the employees used a combo of tig, mig and arc
(they do a lot of heavy equipment so rely heavily on arc)...
So.... to make a long story short, looks like I will be picking up
a small mig and renting a gas bottle (only downside to it...)
..........don't anyone tell my wife..........