When I took my first ride this season, I noticed that the entire front plastics were moving up and down when I hit a large bump. I thought I missed attaching the plastics to all of the supports somewhere, then I noticed that the Cowl Support that comes off of the sterring stem and attaches to another support that conects to the oil cooler, where the two meet, is rusted and the weld let go.
Has anyone else experienced this? It looks as though I can have it welded back together but I'm not a welder. Any Suggestions?

I'm referring to the area near the triangle shaped support above the number three (closest to the number 2)http://images.powersportsnetwork.com...PER%20COWL.gif

I love old bikes, if it's not one thing it's another

Matt

 

Never heard of this happening before. Maybe you're just lucky

has there been any previous damage to the front end?

 

We'll after I took her home, and took the plastics off, It was definetly down. The guy I bought it from said he only had it for a year and a half and it was never "down" and he was the second owner. Either way the evidence told another story. The engine gaurds on the side on the bike, where ground down as if it slid on the ground for a while. But every thing else is was not touched or undamaged.
I have a zip tie holding it down right now but it needs to be repaired asap.

 

Possibly brazing it - but you'll need to clean it and protect everything from the heat.........
nothing else except welding will be strong enough IMO

 

Got any friends that weld? That would definitely be the way to go.
It sucks you don't live closer because I woulda done it for ya.

 

Hey Kil, what part of PA are you in? Me and about 70 other idiots on another forum are doing a run to Denny's Beer Barrel at the end of April.

Oh, and Matt, just clean it up and find a radiator / welding shop to take care of it

 

I'm almost 3hrs from there, right on the MD line.
However, I've been to Denny's like 4 times. I was just there last summer. The food is excellent, and they have a great menu.
You should do the Burger Challenge...

But wow... 70 idiots?? That's a lot of idiots!
I'm tempted to make it 71, though...

 

3 hrs, psssh. It's gonna take me at least 9hrs via highways to get there

and ..

Matt - Mig or TIG welded. Don't let anybody arc or oxy weld it. TIG would look better (and be hidden under all the plastic), but be more expensive. So I say have it Mig'ed

 

+1 Malbojah
MIG/TIG has much more localised heat, and will look better.............and be strong.

 

Crazy.
Sounds like a blast, tho... and I could probably make the trip in a little less than 3hrs.

And Matt.... definitely MIG it.
In fact, if you've ever had the urge to learn to weld...maybe now is the time?
You may be able to pick up a cheap Hobart 140 used or something. Just make sure you practice on some scrap before going at your bike or terrible things will likely happen...
Oh, and make sure your plastics are FAR from any welder as well as anything else you don't want burnt up...lol..