Tinkerers Inc.

[Papakeith]

I just can't seem to leave well enough alone.
Damn tinkerers gene.:(


Friday night in preperation for a ride I decided to change my brake fluid. The results can be found here .
I got it all back together for Riding Saturday, and Sunday.

Tonight, I went out to the shed and decided that I needed to fix the kickstarter mechanism; it hasn't been catching properly lately. I got the cover off no problem, and repaired the mechanism. So, all I had to do was button the bike up and go inside for supper.

No such luck.

The right side cover on my bike has had cracks repaired by the previos owner. He/she used an epoxy to seal up leaks. Well, the cover had been leaking, slowly, since I've had the bike. For whatever reason I decided that tonight was the night I was going to fix it.

Wrong!

What I thought was epoxy covering a crack turned out to be epoxy plugging a 3/4 round hole!:scream:

Question:
What is the best material to use to plug this hole? Is JB weld my best bet, or is there something better?

 

[XRpredator]

I've seen some pretty impressive stuff done with JB Weld--heck, you can even machine it!

Matter of fact, it's holding one of my banjo fittings together on my front brake line, since I tweaked it installing my handguards! Over 5 years now. :cool:

It must be good if Paul Harvey advertises it . . . :confused:

 

[Papakeith]

I've seen some pretty impressive stuff done with JB Weld

Ain't that the truth. I just didn't know if there was a better alternative for the job.

Anyone else want to chime in?

 

[RM_guy]

Originally posted by Papakeith
…Anyone else want to chime in?

Well, since you asked, Have you thought about changing your name to Papa”MooCow” keith?:p

I vote for JB weld. Great stuff.

 

[dhoward]

:eek:

 

[slo' mo]

Tree Jumper, Jeff Allen, where are you guys? They would hold the record for JB Weld attemps. ;)

 

[Papakeith]

Originally posted by RM_guy

Well, since you asked, Have you thought about changing your name to Papa”MooCow” keith?:p

LOL. The scary part is I was actually thinking of naming this thread that or trying to work it into the post.:confused:

 

[WoodsRider]

Keith - Sounds like there used to be an oil-level sight glass in the cover. I've never had much luck with JB Weld/Devcon repairs. Look into having the cover weld repaired. Is it Aluminum or Magnesium? An even cheaper method would be to use a short bolt or screw and locknut with a couple of fender washers and a gasket.

 

[DahlElama]

Many moons ago on my old Camaro, the timing chain was so stretched it ate a big hole in the side of the timing chain cover. College student on a budget fix: Gas Tank repair kit. Never leaked again. It isn't pretty but it is good stuff.

 

[Treejumper]

Remind me not to let you work on my bike at the next NESF! :p JB weld will work fine as long as your not trying to form it around a gasket in the field. :D I'd have to vote with Woodsrider on it being the oil window hole.

 

[Papakeith]

Nope, It's not an oil window hole. The hole is on an angled piece of the cover. Also, it's not round, it's more trapeziodal/oblong; definitely not machined.
Woods - I am assuming It's aluminum.

entangidahl- had the same thing happen to a Nissan pulsar at 260K.

I spoke with some local people and, though welding might be the correct answer, for now, they suggested a marine grade epoxy. "Heck," they said, "it lasted this long."

 

[70 marlin]

On jr's old kx 80

I used clear silcone & blank. for the side cover (small hole from laying it over)

 

[biglou]

Keith-If it is aluminum and you want to take the time, send it to me and I will get it welded (heli-arced) for you. It may not be pretty, but it wont leak! Turnaround time on my end should be just a day or two. A week at the outside.

 

[Papakeith]

Thanks for the offer Lou, but I JB welded it last night. :) I know it's hack, but it looks pretty solid. I'll test it this weekend and report. If it leaks I'll get it welded for real.

 

[AJ Waggoner]

Keith-
Ive welded up my own broken cases /side cases a few times..but hate to do anyones since it is a cast piece and its a pretty ugly repair LOL

JB weld has fixed quite a few big holes as well untill i could replace the case..:)

 

[wardy]

na!

I be liking bright orange silicone, little piece of tin then more silicone......flexiable, stylish, and works on everything.....cept gas.

ha!

without wire, duct tape, zip ties and silicone just where would we be?


wardy :cool:

 

[Papakeith]

After JB Welding the hole Wednesday and Thursday; I took the time to sand it down and reapply a second coat for appearance sake, I reassembled everything Friday night.
Saturday morning I took the bike out for a ride.
I'm happy to report that The side cover is now ( almost ) leak free. The repair is dry as a bone.
I also retapped the oil level check bolt to the next size up. No leaks there either. :) The only problem spot left is the kick starter shaft. The shaft runs through the side cover and has slightly egged out the hole it runs through. I don't know about newer bikes but mine doesn't have a bushing or any bearing to take the load, just a thicker casting in that part of the side cover. The new rubber seal minimizes it, but it would be nice if I could eliminate it all together. Maybe JB Weld will come to the rescue again!;)

 

[Jamir]

Originally posted by XRpredator
I've seen some pretty impressive stuff done with JB Weld--heck, you can even machine it!

. :confused:

I used it to fashion a frame for my 400. It only took 842 tubes.