Pete Posted September 16, 2014 Posted September 16, 2014 Those of you who have been looking at my other threads about the minor troubles I'm having getting my bike used to the road again (after a few years not riding so much!) will have read about the drop in the garage my Blackbird had yesterday. No major damage thankfully, but the mirror stem did break as it went down. I've tried to mend it with some epoxy resin but with no luck. Short of welding has anyone any other ideas for what I might be able to fix it with?So far I've tried Unibond epoxy which was in no uncertain terms a waste of £5. After applying it and doing everything on the packet it just failed as I was bolting the mirror back onto the bike! I got some other stuff from B&Q, some no brand one. Lasted a bit longer but fell off whilst sat at traffic lights on a test ride in Wigan town centre at rush hour today!If I do have to weld it does anyone know any welders in the north west who might be able to do it for a reasonable fee? I had to get the exhaust manifold welded back on to hold a stud a few years back and that was £60 so looking to keep under £20 really! Quote
Ricky Posted September 16, 2014 Posted September 16, 2014 Exhaust centre next door to us welds various stuff and is rather friendly, I can ask them tomorrow if they'd do it?If so could you send me some pictures to show them? Quote
Ricky Posted September 16, 2014 Posted September 16, 2014 I work in burscough so I don't think it's a million miles from you either Quote
fq-craigus Posted September 16, 2014 Posted September 16, 2014 Any garage or machine shop should be able to do it for you for a few quid. Woukdnt take long. Quote
Tango Posted September 16, 2014 Posted September 16, 2014 I've used that metal putty before.....which did a reasonable job..... No secondhand mirrors on eBay?..... Quote
Pete Posted September 16, 2014 Author Posted September 16, 2014 Thanks again team for the speedy responses. Best image I have is this (doesn't show the break too well I'm afraid)http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae248/peteblakemore/ScreenShot2014-09-16at225719.pngIt's right across where the hinge/bearing/joint is for where the mirror folds in. Would ideally like to maintain the fold back function of the mirror if at all possible! Any ideas on cost would be brilliant. I don't mind calling myself if you've got a name for anyone.As for metal putty I couldn't find any at B&Q! Couldn't believe they didn't have it. If I have to send off I'd rather just not wait and go and get it welded I guess.Cheers all.After all my bike woes it's onto the timing belt change on my car. *sigh* (but secretly loving it). Quote
RantMachine Posted September 16, 2014 Posted September 16, 2014 Any garage or machine shop should be able to do it for you for a few quid. Woukdnt take long. +1 this, I used to make regular visits to the local hardware store to have the pegs from my 125 reinforced Quote
Ricky Posted September 16, 2014 Posted September 16, 2014 If you bring me the parts that need welding together I'm sure next door will do it for very little or nothing But like others said there's bound to be a lot more garages willing to do it for next to nothing a lot closer Quote
Pete Posted September 16, 2014 Author Posted September 16, 2014 Nice one all. I'll drop by somewhere local tomorrow and will report back on what they say! Quote
Joeman Posted September 17, 2014 Posted September 17, 2014 Its at the point of most stress. Doubt any sort of glue will work. Welding (if its weldable??) or replacement from eBay are your best options. Quote
Pete Posted September 17, 2014 Author Posted September 17, 2014 Went to a local garage earlier and the fella said no chance for welding. The location of the break is right across the pivot point for the fold back mechanism and if it were welded the mechanism wouldn't fit back in. Or something.Off to eBay I guess, these things aren't bloody cheap either! Trying araldite again while I try and find a reasonably priced part.Has anyone ever tried 3D printing for anything like this? I can get it all glued up well enough to be scanned for a new part to be printed. Just don't know where to go or if that'll cost as much as a new part or more anyway. Quote
Joeman Posted September 17, 2014 Posted September 17, 2014 Went to a local garage earlier and the fella said no chance for welding. The location of the break is right across the pivot point for the fold back mechanism and if it were welded the mechanism wouldn't fit back in. Or something.Off to eBay I guess, these things aren't bloody cheap either! Trying araldite again while I try and find a reasonably priced part.Has anyone ever tried 3D printing for anything like this? I can get it all glued up well enough to be scanned for a new part to be printed. Just don't know where to go or if that'll cost as much as a new part or more anyway. If you can, drill a hole into both side of the break and stick a metal rod in there to help brace it up a bit.Not sure if you have room though Quote
Grumpy Old Git Posted September 18, 2014 Posted September 18, 2014 Used this method a few times with good results.Just depends how much room you have.Add JB Weld to your 'fix it kit' (a metal paste 2-part mix) - it's better than Araldite. Quote
Pete Posted September 18, 2014 Author Posted September 18, 2014 I might try the small hole method (waheeey!) if it goes again and I have the space. I have tried JB Weld before and it's excellent stuff, but I can only find the one tube from the stuff I had! If the current stuff goes I'll get some more I reckon.I'm watching a new mirror unit on eBay which isn't too bad a price at the moment so will continue to keep an eye on it! Quote
Tiggie Posted September 18, 2014 Posted September 18, 2014 +1 for JB Weld, fantastic stuff, even held up on my exhaust manifold for a lot longer than I could of expected it to Quote
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