Aluminum brazing

[mattster31]

In light of my recent thermostat and radiator woes, I found this stuff online https://muggyweld.com/alloy-5/super-alloy-5-starter-kit-3-32

Has anyone had any experience with this? The video of the application looks fantastic but looks can be deceiving. $60 is a whole lot better than $350 for a new rad..........I could go into business!!

 

[jayke]

Got a local radiator shop? Cars have aluminum radiators, I don't know why they couldn't fix a motorcycle

radiator if you can take it off.

 

[mattster31]

It's going to one tommorrow, but I thought this looked like a good product to have in the shop for all the rest of those pesky aluminum items on the bike and around the house.

 

[lonerider]

Sounds like what I have heard called Alumaloy https://www.alumaloy.org/ I wouldn't trust it for any joint that has to hold weight or is subject to any stress. Mostly good for filling holes in thin metal, if you can get the joint clean beforehand; no contamination from the inside and brush the outside at the repair with a stainless steel bristle brush to remove oxide right before repairing. Most welders look down their noses at the stuff, but they usually have the equipment and skill to do the repair in a more correct manner.

https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general-archive/using-alumalloy-81248/

https://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?12892-Ever-come-across-a-repair-done-with-alumalloy

https://www.millerwelds.com/resources/communities/mboard/showthread.php?487-Alumalloy

I've done one or two repairs with it; found it holds best if I built up a bead with it as opposed to trying to braze with it.

 

[leedavis]

Aluminum is an evil metal. If you try the DIY approach practice on something you don't care about. I tried to teach myself to join aluminum with a rod, flux and acetylene torch. All I ever ended up with was a bad joint or puddle of aluminum on the floor.

 

[bluesdog]

Last season I had a rock blast through the stock plastic rad "guard", creating a hole and subsequent leak. A local radiator repair guy repaired it, by actually welding it, for $50.00.

Not sure I'd have the confidence to repair such a system critical part of the bike.

BTW, I installed a real rad guard, (Cox) shortly after the repair, and this year replaced the rad, just because...

 

[RaYzerman19]

Matt, I have some of that rod (no flux) if you want to play.............. wouldn't go hotter than a propane torch though. I've never had a chance to try the stuff, but I'll give you a hand if you like.

I just moved and it's packed up somewhere....... just up the street on 6 Con. W, just west of Brock.....

 

[mattster31]

Thanks ray, I'm waiting to hear back from the rad shop if there is actually a leak, and if he was able to repair it. I've got both propane and oxy/act....as well as a flux core mig I just picked up..... no excusde not to play in the garage now Brock and 6th Con? You're just 5 min from my place now......I almost bought a place up there before my wife and I found our current homestead!

Matt, I have some of that rod (no flux) if you want to play.............. wouldn't go hotter than a propane torch though. I've never had a chance to try the stuff, but I'll give you a hand if you like. I just moved and it's packed up somewhere....... just up the street on 6 Con. W, just west of Brock.....

 

[pcarnut]

Mylers is great at fixing stuff: https://www.motorcycleradiators.com/

I've used them twice and had great results. They fixed a radiator on a dirt bike that I really pranged.

 

[RaYzerman19]

I should mention that in my old days, I had success repairing cracked water jackets (large cracks) on cast iron blocks with good old fashioned 1 hour epoxy. Just vee it out a bit with a grinder, make sure it's clean (rough surface might be a benefit) and there you go. If you have access to the back side, that would be good to butter some on there too.