New Detailing Blog!

Check out the new detailing blog Detailing Dirt !

Aluminum Brazing

I guess you'd call it brazing anyway. I got these Alumniweld rods from Harbor Freight the other day and decided to try them out last night. Alumniweld is a brand but I think there are a few different brands all selling the same so who knows who the original maker is. If you look at Alumniweld's website you'd probably never buy a rod from them because it looks and feels like an elementary kids did it but they worked fine as you'll see below. This looks like the same product with a little better site: http://durafix.com/ and some videos if you wanted a little more info. on it.


I started with some aluminum angle I had that had a notch cut out of it.  I cleaned it with a stainless steel wire wheel before starting.

This is after I was done filling with aluminum.

This is after I ground it down smooth with a angle grinder.

I was very impressed at how well it held up and filled.  Honestly, I was expecting the filled area to go flying out when i touched my grinder to it but it was solid and ground down just like the aluminum would have.  There was a little bit of a learning curve to get the part heated just right to get the rod to melt but it took me about 10 minutes tops to get the hang of it.  I have no clue on the structural strength of this stuff but I'd feel comfortable using it on anything cosmetic.  I have a chunk missing on part of my motorcycle motor casing that I'm going to try this procedure on to fix, as long as I can get to the area easily.

Route for 2011

I found this route online and think it might be the first route I try out this year.  Looks like a nice quite back road sort of route so it should be fairly nice.

Building a workbench

I finally got sick of using the shaky, flimsy, junky workbench that was in the garage when we moved in so I decided to build a new one that was more sturdy and bigger.  I took the plans from here: http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/workshop/bench/below20xl.html and tweaked them for what I wanted and added more bracing and made it out of 2x6.  Basically I made two benches.  Both 30" wide but one is 8' long and the other 5.5' long.  I'm putting the two together to form an "L" shape for a corner bench.  On the 8' section I will have a shelf under it to store items on but on the 5.5' section I braced it a little different so the front is open without a shelf.  I'll use this to store items on the floor like my floor jack or welding cart.  I'll get some pictures up once it's all complete.  Oh, and I cut up most of the old 2x4 bench and used some of the wood for bracing.

Originally I was planning on making the bench out of steel.  This would of made a heavier and sturdier bench for sure but it would of also cost 6 times what a 2x framed bench cost.  This one will be plenty strong for the work I do.

Sonny Barger's "Let's Ride"

I just finished reading this book.  It's a great book for anyone new or thinking about motorcycling and a good read for even the advanced riders.  Sonny Barger, one of the founders of the Hell's Angels M/C, writes about everything from what to look for when buying a new bike, beginner and advance riding techniques and even tips on joining a motorcycle club.  This was the first book by Barger that I've read and I'm looking forward to reading more of his books.

Cold!

Bikes all done and now it's too cold to ride.  Too cold for me anyway.

Almost done

Well, my winter project looks to be done before winter even hits.  Knock on wood.  This weekend my dad and I got the carbs back on the bike, the coolant system back together and got it running.  At first the bike did not want to start and the battery was pretty dead.  But once we got it running and got the idle speed adjusted properly it ran really well, knock on wood again.  It seems to fire up instantly now and the throttle seems much more responsive.  I need a new choke cable, mine is busted, but luckily it seems to start up without the choke now so I might just wait on that and just get one when I get the new battery.  Hopefully when Spring comes the bike fires right up and I can head out and enjoy it without having to do a single thing to it.  Fingers crossed.  I'm hoping to get it out a few more times this year.  I for sure want the carbs synced but I have to find either someone I trust to do it or someone with a carb sync tool that trust me to use it.  It was a learning experience for sure and not only did I learn how to almost tear this bike down to the frame but I also learned I need to look harder when buying a used bike. LOL  Although i still would of taken this bike because I love it.  Hopefully no more surprises.