MY RX-1 BULKHEAD, PLEASE GIVE ME INPUT!

[BOWJIVE]

LAST YEAR AT THE END OF THE YEAR WE WENT DITCH RIDING WHICH I NEVER DO. ANYWAYS I HIT SOMETHING, BENT MY A-ARMS, BROKE MY SPINDLE RIGHT OFF, AND MORE IMPOTANTLT IT DID BREAK MY BULKHEAD AROUND WERE THE LOWER A-ARM BOLTS INTO THE BULKHEAD ON THE MOTOR SIDE. ANY IDEAS ON HOW TO FIX IT? CAN I WELD IT? CAN I TAKE OUT HALF OF THE BULKHEAD? IT DOES LOOK LIKE IT SPLITS? DO YOU HAVE TO TAKE OUT THE MOTOR? HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS CAN HELP ME OR MAYBE DIRECT ME TO SOMEONE WHO CAN. THIS IS A 03 RX-1. THANKS

 

[crazyyamaha]

I have not done it but I have welded lots of aluminum some one with experience should be able to weld it if I was doing it I would also if possible plate it at the break or add more weld to that area. Yes it should be off the machine and the bulkhead does split its a big job though.

 

[yamaslob]

A bulk head is a major part of the sled a weld job and a braket would make it strong yes but it still will not be strong. It will be alot of work if ya got the cash buy a whole new bulkhead and all the billion rivets that come with it. I know what it feels like to break somethen big on a sled, bent the sh*t out of my tunnel.

 

[cmd951]

Its tuff to weld recycled beer cans. Find a used one or a buy a new one. They split in half and come out the front of the sled. Only takes a few hours to get apart and its a good project to learn about a RX1. I've been there and done it. PM me if you need any advise about getting it apart.

 

[RedRX1]

As far as casting technologies go, this would be the best type to try it on. It would be nice to know if this is a heat treatable Aluminum or not. It's hard to say what the result would be. Most likely there would be warping and it could effect the ski alignment.

On another note, I did some ditch banging in the first 100 mi of owning my 05 RX1. The end result after I replaced my a arms was that one ski was set back about 3" from the other. I could not see any damage to the bulkheads, but it has to be there. The good thing is that there is no effect on handling and there has been no sign of further damage over the past couple thousand miles. This is a very tough metal that seems to resist crack propagation.

 

[2ooosrx]

Good excuse to purchase our a-arms. They are slightly weaker then stock and will give out just before the bulkhead ever would.

 

[AaronBND]

I changed the left one last year. Not bad at all! About 3 hours and no you don't have to pull the engine. Let me know if you have any questions!

Aaron

 

[4Fighter]

I too changed out a bulkhead half. Like AaronBND said, It's not bad. Just keep the following in mind:

1. Two very important tools that will speed things up: air chisel & air riveter.

2. About 40 rivets or so, get them from a Yamaha dealer NOT Ace hardware.

3. Keep in mind that the bulkhead is an assembly, so the whole thing (both sides) have to come forward before you can seperate the side you need.

4. Make sure you measure the exposed motor mount stop bushings to maintain the clutch alignment as close as possible as you will have to R & R the one in the damaged half.

It's also a good time to re-bush the front end, if you've got a lot of miles on it.

Good Luck

 

[BOWJIVE]

THANKS GUYS FOR YOUR RESPONSE, I WILL PROBALLY GET A HOLD OF A COUPLE OF YOU.

 

[kkraus]

 

[AaronBND]

Good aluminum??? It's like a recycled beer can aluminum! I'd keep it under 25mph if I were you!

Aaron

 

[snowsweat]

A friend of mine broke his with less than 100 km on his 03 RX-1 on his first ride on it in 2002. Instead of replacing the bulkhead, I removed the plastic and had it welded by a skilled aluminum welder. I redrilled the suspension mount hole and fashioned a small steel brace that connected the front mounting holes of both lower A-arms. He has since put 18 000 km of hard riding (including a few trips to the rhubarb farm). No problems. It cost him a total of $100 plus new A-arms.

 

[crazyyamaha]

Good aluminum??? It's like a recycled beer can aluminum! I'd keep it under 25mph if I were you!

Aaron

How much aluminum have you welded in your life? Welded correctly should be just as strong as the origanal piece. and for your information the more times you recycle somthing the more pure it becomes so if it was beer cans in its previous life it should be high quality aluminum. :ORC

 

[4Fighter]

Good aluminum??? It's like a recycled beer can aluminum! I'd keep it under 25mph if I were you!

Aaron

How much aluminum have you welded in your life? Welded correctly should be just as strong as the origanal piece. and for your information the more times you recycle somthing the more pure it becomes so if it was beer cans in its previous life it should be high quality aluminum. :ORC

Actually, it should be stronger. Recycled aluminum is still aluminum. I once visited a small private foundary that cast sail rigging. And in the material bin was a Fuel injection manifold from a ZR-1. Not sure why it was in there, but it was there alongside mag-wheels, curtain rods, and lawn chair frames.

 

[kkraus]