Bulkhead Saver?

[biffdotorg]

If I were welder shopping and wanting to learn a new skill I would buy a TIG welder.

I like your thinking, but with a budget of $1500 for welder, safety gear, table, cart and gas bottle it left me with MIG. with a spool gun for aluminum. That and I am very new to welding. We all had the metals shop class, but no real practice. This will get me started at least.

I'm excited about learning, and watching the guys online doing metal art with TIG, that is just over the top. But that's years of experience. And my goal is just semi clean repairs to start. And maybe some SXS racks or dock attachments

 

[biffdotorg]

Ok, so I will start off with the tip on the Air Rivet tool was money! Not sure how It would have turned out with a manual pop rivet tool, but this looks factory!

Now I just need to refill the radiator and button it up. Amazing how you look at that new bulkhead "cheese grater" and try to figure out, was that a screw or a rivet. And actually come out right.

Time to hit the service manual and reference what to use for coolant. I'm assuming any premixed coolant may be fine. Then purging.

Any tips on purging this system would be appreciated. I'm assuming I will attach the lower radiator hose, fill the radiator and attach the top hose. And then top the system through the cap up near the handlebars. Run it a bit on inclines, let it cool and fill it again.

Thanks again for any tips and your help. This was a good project.

 

[RobX-1]

Regarding flushing/purging your coolant, since you liked the tip for the air riveter, then you might also like this. I've been wanting to get one of these so I could flush the coolant in my vehicles but also wanted to see if it would work on a snowmobile. Well, it does and I was able to use it to fill the coolant in my Apex after replacing the front heat exchanger as well as in my other Apex when flushing out the old coolant (over 19,000 miles so thought it was time and this tool makes it such a breeze to do so). Although I did go thru the bleeding procedure both times just for the peace of mind, there were hardly any air pockets.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BW39HJS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As for coolant type, on the 08 Apex, I just used green Prestone antifreeze mixed to a 50/50 ratio using distilled water. On the 18 Apex, I opted to use Yamaha Yamacool prediluted blue antifreeze since that is what it came with; although it was much more expensive than the Prestone.

 

[cannondale27]

Right on! Well done. I never had any trouble bleeding coolant. Just take cap off and it self bleeds. You will see bubbles stop. Then top off bottle to full line.

 

[biffdotorg]

Well, thanks to the help here, I connected the radiator up to the lower connection, and filled it up as much as possible before connecting the top hose. Since I used locking hose pliers, I was able to spare most of the cooling system fluid other than the rad.

So once I pulled the hose pliers off, I pulled the cap and it was topped. I took the expansion tank up to the cool full line and fired it up after assembly. Ran with no error codes first shot. So at least I got all the connections back up. I even got a quick rip around the yard. I will be checking the coolant level multiple times before I am satisfied it's purged, but that's just the process.

I bought those locking hose pliers when I installed the heater in my Polaris General 4 this winter. I have used them when I pulled the fuel tank out of my apex too. I'm amazed how many times I have used them in just the past few months. handy to have!

Thanks again everyone. Now to practice my welding on that old bulkhead!

 

[cannondale27]

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Well, thanks to the help here, I connected the radiator up to the lower connection, and filled it up as much as possible before connecting the top hose. Since I used locking hose pliers, I was able to spare most of the cooling system fluid other than the rad.

So once I pulled the hose pliers off, I pulled the cap and it was topped. I took the expansion tank up to the cool full line and fired it up after assembly. Ran with no error codes first shot. So at least I got all the connections back up. I even got a quick rip around the yard. I will be checking the coolant level multiple times before I am satisfied it's purged, but that's just the process.

I bought those locking hose pliers when I installed the heater in my Polaris General 4 this winter. I have used them when I pulled the fuel tank out of my apex too. I'm amazed how many times I have used them in just the past few months. handy to have!

Thanks again everyone. Now to practice my welding on that old bulkhead!

Well done and looks awesome too. That’s fixed. On to the next job!

 

[biffdotorg]

Well done and looks awesome too. That’s fixed. On to the next job!

Now I'm ready to get this setup and learn to weld. I was so busy fixing the Viper, that I didn't even have time to unbox all the new toys! Oh what fun will be had with docks/lifts/trailers and SXS accessories!! Woo woo fun stuff!

 

[cannondale27]

Now I'm ready to get this setup and learn to weld. I was so busy fixing the Viper, that I didn't even have time to unbox all the new toys! Oh what fun will be had with docks/lifts/trailers and SXS accessories!! Woo woo fun stuff!

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Wow a table even! You are hooked. Be buying a TIG before Christmas. Nice setup

 

[biffdotorg]

Since I have not welded since high school, this may be a good chance to start a new video series on my YouTube channel and open myself up to the wolves for comments. Nothing like crowd sourcing welding tips from keyboard jockeys!

Who knows, there are probably plenty of other guys like me that want to learn, but just don't know here to start. $100 says, like me, they are all afraid of shocking themselves on the first go.

Nothing would get more viral hits than me electrocuting myself on video day one!

 

[cannondale27]

Since I have not welded since high school, this may be a good chance to start a new video series on my YouTube channel and open myself up to the wolves for comments. Nothing like crowd sourcing welding tips from keyboard jockeys!

Who knows, there are probably plenty of other guys like me that want to learn, but just don't know here to start. $100 says, like me, they are all afraid of shocking themselves on the first go.

Nothing would get more viral hits than me electrocuting myself on video day one!

No kidding! Neat channel. Subscribed

 

[biffdotorg]

Got the welder loaded, my gas setup, and 230v power adapted for the welder. Fired it up and flinched so hard I don't care to share the pic of the weld. Too hot, too fast of wire speed, no gas purged, it was the definition of a hot mess.

Made some adjustments and started laying down a fat bead. Pretty cool. Even fixed the hinge on an old pistol dueling post I broke years ago. Glorified tac welds, but hey, it's a start. Next project is my fish house skid is in need of a better hitch. Time to fab something up.

Too much fun!

 

[cannondale27]

Just think with Tig you are adjusting settings AS you are welding. Thats one thing that makes them so pretty!
Old metal can be real difficult to weld. Clean metal is a must. More time by far is spent prepping metal than welding for sure. Great start!

 

[biffdotorg]

That's pretty good feedback, as the thought of griding off that weld area never crossed my mind. Cleaning off the surface will be step one on my next practice session.

 

[maim]

yup. mig and tig like the cleanest metal you can provide. stick is not as fussy.

 

[YamahaHoss]

You need any help call. I think I have a post of when I did mine both times. Oh and Buy, borrow or steal a air riveter. You do a better job and so much easier with one. Harbor Frieght ones are only like $40. Work fine.

Cannondale--I have a 2015 RS Venture TF that I will be doing a right bulkhead change over---can you help me with a few questions please?