aluminum frames

[Yooper Knight]

anyone built one out of aluminum ? Just a thought on weight consideration. Or just something out of the ordinary.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

I have thought of it, while waiting for some help at the metal shop I was browsing around the display room and they had some big AL I-beams that weighed next to nothing.

 

[newrider3]

Would need to be TIG welded for best results. Also you would have to post weld heat treat the entire frame.

 

[Russell ATV]

I have thought about an Al frame, but as NewRider mentions, the welding is the tricky part. Unlike steel (Chromoly), the welds will be the weakest point, and even a good looking weld may break at the wrong time.

Technically, welding any metal introduces a "heat affected zone", which would benefit from post work heat treating, even steel. But this is really only important if you are pushing the envelope of materials.

Russ Barrow
Russell ATV