SW MOTECH CRASH BARS

SHUMBA

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I purchased a new set of SW Motech crash bars for my 2018 Tenere. I looked them over carefully and I observed an incomplete weld on the lower forward attachment.
Although the bars appear to be very sturdy and solid with a great finish (had Motechs on my Africa twin) I'm curious to know why only one of the attachment points lacks a 100% weld.
I'll try to include a photo.
If anyone out there has Motech bars, please can you post a picture of the lower forward right hand weld area. I have sent an email and photos of this to SW MOTECH in Germany. I will share their response with you.
Thanks in advance.
SHUMBA 20190104_202822.jpg
 

EricV

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Bet they tell you it's so it will snap off before damaging the frame where it's mounted... :rolleyes:
 

Sierra1

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That's just a painted tack weld. I have a different brand, but I'm going to check my welds now. Eric is probably right though.
 

SHUMBA

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Bet they tell you it's so it will snap off before damaging the frame where it's mounted... :rolleyes:
Hmmmm...possibly, but aside from this weld not being 100% like all of the other welds in addition it will be an entry point for water moisture etc. And over a long time possible to be a site for corrosion. I'll share Motech's answer with.
Thanks for your reply SHUMBA
 

SHUMBA

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That's just a painted tack weld. I have a different brand, but I'm going to check my welds now. Eric is probably right though.
Definitely not a painted rack weld. The weld is approximately 60% solid weld and 40% open. Possible entry point for corrosion. Have a closer look at the picture.
I'll share Motech's answer with you.
Thanks all the same.
SHUMBA
 

EricV

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I was being somewhat tongue in cheek. I think it's a flaw, but Germans don't tend to acknowledge flaws. SWMotech USA would probably be more likely to replace the bars if it's an incomplete weld, in their opinion.

If the other side of the plate has a hole where the tube is, and it's fully welded around that side, I could see the side you show being more of a tack weld as Sierra1 suggested. But I think that plate is solid and the tube butts up against it. I see no reasonably reason why it would not be a complete weld.

These are welded up in jigs. It's not uncommon to rotate the jig to finish the weld. Sometimes one gets missed, then missed by the QA team, (if there is one). More and more manufacturing locations are eliminating QA as a cost cutting measure and dumping full responsibility on the people doing the work to check everything themselves. The problem with that is it eliminates the check and balance concept. Apathy can kill quality.
 

tallpaul

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I think the weld is rotated but, due to the flange return, the welding torch could not reach all around the joint. As a result it is only 60% complete. My money says they are all like that, so the options would be to apply a silicone bead to prevent moisture ingress or have a local shop weld the rest and then paint it up. Myself, I would just use it as it is with silicone to seal it. I'm sure the design has been thoroughly tested. If the weld was an issue it would have shown up before now.
 

bimota

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mine were the same. ihad them shot blasted and power coated red but looking at that side the powder coat has covered that section but looking at where the powder coat is and the wed they are different so i,ll say they are all the same.
001.jpg
 

SHUMBA

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I was being somewhat tongue in cheek. I think it's a flaw, but Germans don't tend to acknowledge flaws. SWMotech USA would probably be more likely to replace the bars if it's an incomplete weld, in their opinion.

If the other side of the plate has a hole where the tube is, and it's fully welded around that side, I could see the side you show being more of a tack weld as Sierra1 suggested. But I think that plate is solid and the tube butts up against it. I see no reasonably reason why it would not be a complete weld.

These are welded up in jigs. It's not uncommon to rotate the jig to finish the weld. Sometimes one gets missed, then missed by the QA team, (if there is one). More and more manufacturing locations are eliminating QA as a cost cutting measure and dumping full responsibility on the people doing the work to check everything themselves. The problem with that is it eliminates the check and balance concept. Apathy can kill quality.
I'm with you EricV, QA has somewhat disappeared so if weld is missing in the suspect area, then lack of, or no QA is likely the culprit.
I used to weld things in jigs. The jig had to be turned or rotated to apply weld and such would be the case when welding the these crashbars.
We'll see see what Motech's answer is and I'll let you know.
Thanks again for your input along with your previous comments and advice with the installation of these crash bars.
SHUMBA
 

SHUMBA

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I think the weld is rotated but, due to the flange return, the welding torch could not reach all around the joint. As a result it is only 60% complete. My money says they are all like that, so the options would be to apply a silicone bead to prevent moisture ingress or have a local shop weld the rest and then paint it up. Myself, I would just use it as it is with silicone to seal it. I'm sure the design has been thoroughly tested. If the weld was an issue it would have shown up before now.
I had a close look at the area where the weld is absent and having been a welder many years ago, I see no reason why weld could not have been applied to this area. I'm sure Motech is using the MIG (metal inert gas) equipment to assemble these crash bars.
They must have a reason for the missing weld. In any event, I will consider having a local shop "fill the void" if need be and repaint the affected area.
I'll let you all know what the outcome is.
Thanks for your input.
SHUMBA
 

SHUMBA

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Agree, I got my all position pipe welder certification many years ago. Never worked in the industry so I know a little bit about welding and stress points.
SHUMBA
 

SHUMBA

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I had a close look at the area where the weld is absent and having been a welder many years ago, I see no reason why weld could not have been applied to this area. I'm sure Motech is using the MIG (metal inert gas) equipment to assemble these crash bars.
They must have a reason for the missing weld. In any event, I will consider having a local shop "fill the void" if need be and repaint the affected area.
I'll let you all know what the outcome is.
Thanks for your input.
SHUMBA
As promised, new set of crash bars in hand and service with a smile
SHUMBA

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