Modern Vespa

Anyone here use JB weld for their scooter? What's the story? Is it any good? Will it really hold an engine block together? Buddy of mine has a cracked headset. One guy told us to put fiberglass on the crack. He claims that JB WELD is crap, and that fiberglass is the strongest bond to hold the aluminum of the headset together. I think he's smoking crack! Give me your stories

Aluminum? I thought the headset cover was plastic.

This should answer all your questions.

GREASY!!!!!!!!

one time in canada, in the midle of nowhere, we hit a rock and tore a big hole in the bottom of our 12 foot stinkboat.

drank a couple of beers, cut open the cans, and jb welded them over the hole.

worked like a champ the whole trip.

oh yea.

Must be a vintage. You should have it welded if anything! Take it to a shop and they'll probably do it for cheap. I have used JB weld for a whole mess of things very successfully, but that doesn't sound like the right application. And fiberglass? to fix a break in aluminum?? unless there is something I don't know about, that sounds like a bad idea!!

How much do you like your friend?
and will he ever ride in front of you?
If you don't like him and he will never ride in front of you, then yes, JB weld or fiberglass???? it.

If you like him, go to the local welder guy and get it TIG welded (body shop/ machine shop)
bring a case of beer and some cash...(you get instant service doing this)

sean s

That was the 7th best thread evar!

sorry, let me clarify....we are talking about a vintage scooter, not a new TNG. It's the headset off an old scooter. When I say aluminum, I'm talking about potmetal here. Can't weld it. TIG welding would burn up the metal before you got it hot enough to melt the rod. Need another alternative. Buying a new headset is not an option.

pot metal and you friend says to use fiberglass. good luck with that one.
replace the headset with a good one the are avaiable you just have to look hard.

This fourm says it can be welded
http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?t=3685

and this place has special rods for use with standard "open flame" welding.
http://www.aluminumrepair.com/aluminum_repair.asp

good luck.

gene

I've welded several of my headsets (I'm a little hard on my bikes)
You can buy droped headsets for any bike..they have been welded.

sean s

Find the oldest guy in your neighbourhood that does welding. Then ask him nicely

It requires special equipment and special skills and I thank all things good that we have 2 local welders that can do this for us.

Thanks G and D.

Old school auto body shops are a good bet, or a grungy machine shop located in a back alley.

It does depend on where it is broken though. Some areas receive quite a lot of stress.

There are one or 2 scooter shops in the country that can actually do it in house if you're lucky enough to be near them. Or, if you have a vintage scooter shop in your area, ask them where they take theirs. They might not want to give their contacts up though. Many a scooter shop has had their metalwork or painter ruined by customers going direct to them, messing them about and then the guy swearing they'll never work on another scooter.

Andrea

Thanks gang.

have it welded properly by an experienced individual.

or... hit e-bay and buy one pre-loved.

seriously, JB has its place as does fiberglass-- neither of which should be used in a critical area such as the lower headset.

best,
-greasy

sound advise there. truer words haven't been spoken in a long time.

best,
-greasy

JB weld is for clutches, silly!

http://royscannonball.wordpress.com/2008/09/19/cb-day-7-the-day-the-clutch-said-bye-bye/