I've got a '71 A65 OIF type frame with the all too common side stand lug ripped off.
The remains of the casting are still there.
I'm just wondering if I'll get away with just stick welding in a chunk of mild steel, or if something stronger is required.
I've been told that "home brewed" weld repairs to these lugs invariably fail quite quickly, but I've never tried a repair myself yet.
I'd appreciate some input from those who have already dealt with this problem.
T.I.A.
For what it's worth go for a new lug welded on by a professional welder. I had to to this on my Ariel NH 350 frame as a previous owner had sawn it off.
I made a lug from a piece of mild steel and took the frame and lug round to a brilliant welder. He virtually ground away the joint edge on the lug to a point and cleaned up the part of the frame it was to be welded on. I watched him welding with a spare mask and it was like watching an artist at work. He used an old fashioned arc welder.
He tacked it on and when the position was agreed he started filling. After every pass he cleaned of the slag with a fine grinder and carried on layer after layer the same way.
Through the mask glass, you could see the molten weld pooling an mixing with the surrounding area to the point where you knew the lug and the frame metal were homogenous. The result is the frame would break before the lug would come off again.
However, in case your weld may not be as good, the tip is not to kickstart it with your full weight on the side stand. Use the centre stand, BUT kickstarting on this can also lead to the frame cracking at the centrestand mounting points, so be gentle with it.