Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: Zaster on March 15, 2009, 06:57:20 PM

Title: Mig Welding
Post by: Zaster on March 15, 2009, 06:57:20 PM
I need to beef up the steering stop on one side and the weld on the passenger peg after I laid down my bike.
Does anyone know if mig welding will cause an issue with the electronics and what precautions I would need to take?
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: ducpainter on March 15, 2009, 07:03:11 PM
Technically...

If you are welding all grounds should be disconnected and isolated.

I've seen lots of guys get away with less.
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: Monsterlover on March 15, 2009, 07:22:02 PM
Why all grounds?

I'd pull the negative terminal off the battery and remove the ecu entirely.

That's the safest thing to do. Assuming you're bike is fuel injected.

As dp said...

You might be able to get away with less. 
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: Zaster on March 15, 2009, 07:24:17 PM
Quote from: ducpainter on March 15, 2009, 07:03:11 PM
Technically...

If you are welding all grounds should be disconnected and isolated.

I've seen lots of guys get away with less.
Thanks Nate...are you saying that if my ground clamp is very close to the weld I can get away with not disconnecting the ground on the battery?
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: Monsterlover on March 15, 2009, 07:29:46 PM
Danger Will Robinson!
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: ducpainter on March 15, 2009, 07:30:03 PM
Quote from: Zaster on March 15, 2009, 07:24:17 PM
Thanks Nate...are you saying that if my ground clamp is very close to the weld I can get away with not disconnecting the ground on the battery?
I wouldn't...I'm not one of the lucky guys. ;) [bang] [bang] [bang] YMMV

My MIG welding background is more automotive and the electronics were more sensitive.

It's really simple to disconnect a battery, and there are only a couple of other ground points on a Duc.
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: Gimpy on March 15, 2009, 08:55:20 PM
Remove the ECU and disconnect the negative battery terminal. It'll take less than 10 minutes.  Seems like a simple way to isolate the important bits.  On top of all that I would also make sure my ground was very close to my weld to maintain the path of least resistance.  Good luck!
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: Zaster on March 16, 2009, 06:22:15 PM
Quote from: Gimpy on March 15, 2009, 08:55:20 PM
Remove the ECU and disconnect the negative battery terminal. It'll take less than 10 minutes.  Seems like a simple way to isolate the important bits.  On top of all that I would also make sure my ground was very close to my weld to maintain the path of least resistance.  Good luck!

Thanks man [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: TiAvenger on March 16, 2009, 07:32:15 PM
Do not weld with the fuel tank open. 

That is all.
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: Zaster on March 16, 2009, 07:44:23 PM
Quote from: TiAvenger on March 16, 2009, 07:32:15 PM
Do not weld with the fuel tank open. 

That is all.
Thanks for the heads up...it's already off [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: ducrider45 on March 18, 2009, 02:29:21 PM
Disconnect the RR as well.
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: Zaster on March 18, 2009, 04:58:39 PM
Quote from: ducrider45 on March 18, 2009, 02:29:21 PM
Disconnect the RR  as well.
Enlighten me...
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: Monsterlover on March 18, 2009, 05:32:40 PM
+1
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: ducpainter on March 18, 2009, 06:03:08 PM
Quote from: Zaster on March 18, 2009, 04:58:39 PM
Enlighten me...
Regulator/Rectifier....

Basically the accepted wisdom is to either remove, or isolate from ground, all electrical components.

Like I said before, lots of people have had luck not doing all the recommended things.
Title: Re: Mig Welding
Post by: scott_araujo on March 24, 2009, 12:29:50 PM
What about the gauges?  Aren't they linked to the ECU?  I think that's why people have had to replace both as a set.  Easy enough to pull the plug out but just checking since no one mentioned them specifically.

Thanks,
Scott