The rise and fall of the mighty GTO

[RockiMtn]

that weld looks a little… well… dodgy.

not have any experience in welding. but couldn't you have filled it in a little more at the top and not have those small rough areas with gaps/holes?

 

[26er]

Sorry to disappoint but it's hard to make welds look nice w/o shielding gas... and I never said it would look pretty.

 

[RockiMtn]

no need to apologize. just asking a question and not trying to judge.

just curious if you could have filled it in more and perhaps filed back down the extra.

 

[26er]

No probs. The "rough areas" coulda been smoothed out with the angle grinder but I didn't wanna risk damaging the tubing in the process.

Those seat- and chainstays are very easy to cut through considering they're a lot softer than the weld.

 

[Muddy paw]

Good luck on the test ride :facepalm: sorry but that V looked a a bit erm wide for a strong weld :| ..

 

[Woz]

Re:

Get it in big ring up the Ventoux and big ring around the North Shore trails to stress test it.

Aesthetics aside it looks joined together so what could possibly go wrong.

 

[26er]

Thanks Woz! Been playin with idea to take it down to Burgundy for its virgin ride if it wasn't for the flood. But it looks more like I'd need a boat for that...

:facepalm:

 

[Woz]

Re:

;-)

You should have welded up the other side too while you were at it. Preventation better than cure they say.

 

[26er]

Re: Re:

;-)

You should have welded up the other side too while you were at it. Preventation better than cure they say.

That's not such bad idea actually. Been considering it myself, but decided against it after a close exam with a magnifying glass. Couldn't see any hair cracks, plus the fact there should be lot less stress on the NDS side made me skip that plan. Also nice to keep some of the original design and keep the weight down...

 

[mtbdave]

It will be fine, 1" of weld metal holds 1 ton.

If it cracks then, grind out and re-weld.

It's a bike frame not a subsea oil pipeline, like what I work on, but as you rightly said earlier,
For a better looking weld then a shielding gas, or even a good old welding electrode would have been a better choice.