Ark welding positive earth commando

auldblue · Apr 30, 2017

Just wondering , I am going to do some ark welding to part of the bike and if I just disconected the battery as with negative earth machines will no damage be done to any electrics or will I have to disconect all earth wires as well?

Jg

toppy · Apr 30, 2017

I have always just took the negative off the battery. That way the electrical circuit is broken. You could remove both if you like and as was mentioned in a post about welding a while ago keep the welders earth as close to the area being welded as possible as the current will flow from arc to earth of welder and back into welder up it earth lead in make its circuit.

acotrel · Apr 30, 2017

I would not arc weld the frame while the motor or any electronics are fitted to it. Electronics are effected by microvolts and a short through a main bearing might not do it any good.

CanukNortonNut · Apr 30, 2017

Make sure the current does not pass through a roller/ball bearing.
From where you attach the ground clamp to where you want to weld.
T

Anglophile · Apr 30, 2017

I just arc welded my side stand bracket. Simply removed the fuse. Rode 40 miles today. No electrical issues.

Torontonian · Apr 30, 2017

I agree just pull the fuse.

nickguzzi · May 1, 2017

And clamp to cleaned bare metal as close to the weld site as possible - not across any mechanical discontinuities like the mentioned bearings or painted\rusted bolted joints.

JimNH · May 1, 2017

I had to build up the side stand lug. I removed the stand, installed a bolt through the hole, and clamped the ground to it. I pulled the battery ground just in case. No issues.

As others have said, don't clamp onto that nice shiny engine case!

acotrel · May 1, 2017

If you have got a nice electronic ignition system, I'd take it off the bike before doing any arc welding on the frame. My Boyer is attached to the circuitry with detachable connectors. A friend of mine employed a self-professed racing car mechanic in his business. He had the job of removing the engine from a Merc. So cut the wiring harness and fitted connectors where it passed through the firewall. Didn't even look to see it can be disconnected from the inside. The circuitry operates on microvolts, so if you are not careful you can create more problems than you solve.

nickguzzi · May 2, 2017

I welded many vehicles for a living for quite a while.
I never had any actual electrical problems, other than a spark igniting a gassing battery.

JimC · May 2, 2017

I agree with Nick. Current takes the path of least resistance. Keeping the ground (welder) near the point of weld is imperative.

auldblue · May 2, 2017

Thanks for the heads up. After a few practice swings I decided not to do the repair I had planed(bad idea and too inept as a welder) took the centre stand off and welded 5mm plates on the bottom of the legs and stitched the footplate back on , much better. However when pushing another bike into the garage today I stumbled and knocked the commando over and smashed the number plate and tail light unit. Bugger!

Jg

All input greatfully appreciated, thanks all. Jg

bluto · May 3, 2017

Did some MIG welding on my own positive ground Commando, no problems and disconnected nothing...this has also been the case on several other cars and bikes I've welded on. So far as I know muffler shops don't disconnect anything when they weld and don't have problems....though as was said attaching the ground clamp physically and electrically as close as practical to the work is important. FWIW added a loop to my sidestand stop, works well...

cliffa · May 3, 2017

auldblue said:
However when pushing another bike into the garage today....

Oh, that's sickening. Is it all the original stuff ?

My mate knocked over his Ducati 900ss once and it fell onto his car before hitting the deck, so he was doubly pleased !

Interesting garage there though, what's that on the right a Rocket 3 ? and possibly a Daytona on the left ?

Cheers,

Cliffa

auldblue · May 3, 2017

cliffa said:
auldblue said:

However when pushing another bike into the garage today....

Click to expand...

Oh, that's sickening. Is it all the original stuff ?

My mate knocked over his Ducati 900ss once and it fell onto his car before hitting the deck, so he was doubly pleased !

Interesting garage there though, what's that on the right a Rocket 3 ? and possibly a Daytona on the left ?

Cheers,

Cliffa

I was lucky the tank and left panel were off the bike and the plastic storage boxes broke the fall. The tail light was also undamaged but the unit hit the 94 speedy front mudguard no apparent damage to that. I will be able to epoxy up the damage but the number plate is goosed. I do feel your mates pain with the Duke , hope the motor wasn't an E Type. The bike on the right is a heavy old A75R , I managed to keep it upright , though my ass is bust from hitting the Norton.

Cheers Jg

The garage is getting a bit on the rough side,need a clear out.

cliffa · May 4, 2017

Ah, a Speed Triple, I was close but I don't get my bike spotters anorak badge this time

Ark welding positive earth commando

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