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Post by aeroxbud on Sept 21, 2020 4:41:16 GMT -5
Did you work out a rough estimate of how much fuel it would hold?
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Post by oldgeek on Sept 21, 2020 5:51:06 GMT -5
Did you work out a rough estimate of how much fuel it would hold? My guestimate is 3 to 4 L. I would like to have at least 6L. The tank is currently about 50mm wide, I can make it wider so it will hold more. I could also add a seat tank to get me to the 6L target. All of this depends on me getting the TIG welder AND learning the skills needed to make something like a tank. My brother said we could buy the TIG welder, so that part is not stopping me. However I am apprehensive about spending $1200 for the welder and everything I will need, then having to learn how to use it. |
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Post by aeroxbud on Sept 21, 2020 5:54:37 GMT -5
How hard can welding be. Just ask Milly.
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Post by oldgeek on Sept 23, 2020 19:52:27 GMT -5
Well I ordered the TIG welder, it should be here Friday. I went to AirGas today to get a price on a 80cf Argon cylinder, $273 to buy it outright, it comes filled with Argon. Then about $55 to have it filled each time thereafter. I hope the existing auto darkening hood I have will be sufficient to use, its a Speedglass and at least 15 years old. I saw new ones at AirGas for $200 - $450  I would hate to have to buy one of those too. All of this in the name of scooters! I hope I have not bitten off more than I can chew. |
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Post by aeroxbud on Sept 24, 2020 9:49:24 GMT -5
Things just got serious.  |
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Post by oldgeek on Oct 25, 2020 12:17:52 GMT -5
I have spent the last month getting the welder and the necessary supplies here and set up so I could begin to learn how to TIG weld. It has been fun, but expensive! Because I have quite a few things I would like to do with aluminum on this project, I have concentrated my efforts on learning aluminum TIG welding for now. I am hoping to learn enough to make the gas tank, radiator mounts, seat mount and possibly a few faring pieces in aluminum. I am still leaning towards a tank design something like this:  I am spending a considerable amount of time just trying to design a tank to fit and mount there and that my limited welding skills will allow me to fabricate. There are a bunch of little things that are keeping me from making any progress that can actually be seen. Before anything else can be done I have to get the rear suspension, at least on one side welded up and done. A while back, I turned the steel plugs that will slip into the frame for the upper shock mount, they still need to be drilled and tapped for the shock bolt before I weld them in place. I dont have a tap that is the right size and pitch for the shock bolt, so I need to get one ordered. The adaptor I made for the lower steering cup was not quite seating on the frame correctly, the steering stop was holding it off ever so slightly. I spent some time with the dremel and now it seats completely. I could weld it and the steering stop extension in place, but I need to practice TIG welding steel before I attempt to weld that and the rear upper shock mounts. |
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Post by Steve B on Oct 25, 2020 12:28:07 GMT -5
Wow Oldgeek, That looks really good.  |
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Post by hippo008 on Oct 25, 2020 16:20:09 GMT -5
Go whole hog. Full aluminum frame and titanium hardware. Make this thing 40lbs lighter than any other scooter like it.
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Post by pinkscoot on Oct 25, 2020 17:39:28 GMT -5
It's coming along nicely.
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Post by oldgeek on Oct 26, 2020 23:37:03 GMT -5
I went over to Lowes today to pick up a few things and finally remembered to take the upper shock bolt with me so I could figure out exactly what size it is. M10 x 1.25 I looked for a tap there but they only have M10 x 1.5 I ordered a 10 x 1.25 from the Amazon, it should be here Wednesday. I also found out what drill to use for the tap, 11/32" I used my M8.5 drill bit and it came out to 8.65mm so that is close enough.  A final test fit of the plugs in the frame looks good. I am going to cut the threads in them before I weld them in place.  I also decided to cut more of the frame off, It was going to have to come off anyway to make more room for the pipe.   Here are some of the ways I could tie the two sides of the frame back together.    I could even do it like this and use the seat pan to tie them together. Whatever I do I want it to be strong and tie the two sides back together solidly.  I think if I do something like the picture above, I would need to shorten the frame up some more before welding the pieces that turn up back on. A couple more bracket designs are in my brain, somewhere? At least I am moving forward.  |
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Post by aeroxbud on Oct 27, 2020 5:36:45 GMT -5
It's annoying when you have to be waiting for parts, you can't get locally.
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Post by hippo008 on Oct 27, 2020 12:27:13 GMT -5
I like the first mount. Easier to build and weld. That will be plenty strong and make the rear exit pipe look sharp.
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Post by oldgeek on Oct 29, 2020 22:17:49 GMT -5
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Post by 90GTVert on Oct 29, 2020 23:11:05 GMT -5
Most of that looks way better than the welds you'll find anywhere on my scoots, but I do the same thing. I may lay down a bead that looks great (for me), then it gets just slightly difficult to reach and move the way I want or see and it all goes to hell... and that's just with the most basic flux core welding.
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Post by aeroxbud on Oct 30, 2020 5:29:51 GMT -5
They looked strong enough though. Not so bad.
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I would hate to have to buy one of those too.
