• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

Frame Grade Steel

ZeroValence

ZeroValence

New member
Joined
Aug 27, 2003
Location
San Jose
Moto(s)
F4, CR125
I guess this is for all you fabricators out there. I have a 1992 Suzuki GS500 E frame that I am modifying. I was trying to find out what grade steel the frame was made from (e.g. 1020, 1030,...). I have already tried Suzuki dealers and Corp. No luck so far. If I can't get an answer then I was going to use 1020-1030 DOM material. Any advice would be appreciated.

Daniel
 
That would be the melted down plumbing pipe.
 
afm199, How about giving me a little more. I am only talking about tubing. Not pipe. To my knowledge, these older frames were not made of a Chromoly steel like 4130, but a mild steel. Am I wrong about this?
 
As far as I know you are correct, most were mild steel not chromoly. You might PM to MR RPM he is a welder who works on bikes a lot and on BARF
 
even if the original frame is not chromolly, you should always use it for chasis work. 4130 is the stuff. fret no longer, choose the right welding wire to weld it to mild steel. it doesn't rreally matter.
 
To supply my needs for DOM, I use Team Tube, (1800-450-3454). The peep's there should be able to answer any weird questions you have as well. If they are unsure about anything on your specific material, have them fax you a machinability spec sheet. That spec sheet should let you know anything you would need in order to properly cut/shape/affix the material.

-Jake
 
What are you doing to the GS500 frame? I have one that I'm kinda setting up for the track. I need to look more into chopping down that huge rear subframe.
 
try drilling a hole in the frame somewhere you'll eventually cut off, or it doesn't matter. if it goes easy it's a mild steel, if it sounds like grinding teeth and you dull the shit out of the bit it's something more exotic, 4130 is likely.

what are you going to be making is an important question here. while 4130 is the way to go if you know how to optimize for it, it isn't going to make enough difference to justify the cost and difficulty working with it unless you're talking a complete frame. pvd is absolutely right, you can weld it to mild steel should you choose to (again, provided you know what you're doing)
 
Those frames are 1020 mild steel the carbon content is medium.
Using E70s2 tig wire or ER70s6 mig wire. that would be your best chance. I wouldn't use 4130. There is no way to stress relieve after welding. If you plan on using a 4130 or 4140 ensure you have 80 series rod with at least S4 in the chemical composition.

Even the frames that are using 4130 were and are never stress relieved at all do to cost.
Hopefuly I may of helped.

Are you looking for a job?
You talk the talk that I want to here from a welder knowing the material and specs. I HAVE A NEW ORDER FROM sbk to make more front areo lifts stands the same as the AMA uses. Are you interested

ROBERT
650-455-5229
 
Thanks for the info Mr. RPM. For all those that wanted to know, I am put an EX500 motor into a GS500 frame. The lower frame rails have been removed and will be replaced with a trellis type configuration using 1"-1.25"OD 0.065 wall thickness. I figured chromoly is overkill if the rest of the frame is only mild steel. I'm hoping with this configuration it will make the frame stiffer and shave some weight. The subframe will also be cut down and possibly a different rear suspension setup. Why am I doing this? Because I can. Thanks for the help
 
Post pics!!! You can fit a late 80's early 90's GSXR swing arm into the frame with a little work. I'm currently working on that.
 
O, I am put an EX500 motor into a GS500 frame. [/B]
Click to expand...


You've created a GSEX.
Are you planning on racing this aboration of a motorcycle?
I hope yes since you've gone through all the effort.
 
MR RPM said:

Are you looking for a job?
You talk the talk that I want to here from a welder knowing the material and specs. I HAVE A NEW ORDER FROM sbk to make more front areo lifts stands the same as the AMA uses. Are you interested

ROBERT
650-455-5229
Click to expand...


talking to me?

i'm just a lowly ME, haven't picked up a welding torch in about 6 years
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top