Posts
774
Joined
2/8/2012
Location
Midland, NC
US
Ok vitards.
Im ready to attempt my first pipe repair.
No one in the US makes a repair kit so after looking at all the home made kits I came up with my solution.
Expandable freeze plugs from an automotive store.
The plug on the big end of the pipe would need to be tapped and fitted with a Schrader valve.
It actually was pretty simple. I started with small drill bits and worked my way up. The first 3 drill bits I went all the way through the rubber and the metal on the othe side. This will allow the air to pass all the way through. As the drill bits got bigger I would go through the top metal plate and only half way through the rubber. This is to allow a tight compression type fit between the plug and the valve.
Once I got it all done I hooked it up to air. Started with 10 psi then submerged in water to check for leaks. Then up to 20 then 30 and so on until I got up to 60 psi.
From what I have read and seen on videos I would start with 20 psi in the pipe and when heating with a torch the air will get up to around the 50-60 psi range.
So am I missing anything here? Anyone see anything life threatening with this set up. For added safety i may secure the plugs to the pipe with some safety wire.
Obviously this will be done outside with the plugs aimed in a safe direction in case of failure. Bit this seems to be a simple solution that is reusable and should fit nearly every 125cc and up pipe.
Im ready to attempt my first pipe repair.
No one in the US makes a repair kit so after looking at all the home made kits I came up with my solution.
Expandable freeze plugs from an automotive store.
The plug on the big end of the pipe would need to be tapped and fitted with a Schrader valve.
It actually was pretty simple. I started with small drill bits and worked my way up. The first 3 drill bits I went all the way through the rubber and the metal on the othe side. This will allow the air to pass all the way through. As the drill bits got bigger I would go through the top metal plate and only half way through the rubber. This is to allow a tight compression type fit between the plug and the valve.
Once I got it all done I hooked it up to air. Started with 10 psi then submerged in water to check for leaks. Then up to 20 then 30 and so on until I got up to 60 psi.
From what I have read and seen on videos I would start with 20 psi in the pipe and when heating with a torch the air will get up to around the 50-60 psi range.
So am I missing anything here? Anyone see anything life threatening with this set up. For added safety i may secure the plugs to the pipe with some safety wire.
Obviously this will be done outside with the plugs aimed in a safe direction in case of failure. Bit this seems to be a simple solution that is reusable and should fit nearly every 125cc and up pipe.
The Shop
My mistake was being cheap and getting a propane torch instead of a map torch. Took forever and was hard to keep a large area hot.
Used an acetylene torch made a world of difference. Only regret was not taking more before picks. The main dent still didn't come out fully but there were other spots that had smaller ones and they came right out. It was like a magic eraser to remove pipe dents lol.
This is what's left of the big dent.
No before pic but this spot had about a dozen or so small dings in it.
Fender bolts right up number plate will require 2 fabricated brackets but nothing hard to do.
For now just going to put the engine in her and stretch her legs out a bit and decide if I want to keep it or flip it. So far I'm into the bike a yz85 that I traded, about $400 for the top and bottom end and lots of scrubbing.
If I keep it she will get tore down to the frame again and powder coating/anodizing and polishing treatments..
Post a reply to: 2 stroke pipe repair. Point out my error