Super Jet Cracking UMI pole

[slamb33]

Gents,

Looking for input or experience with a cracking weld on my UMI pole (images below). I have heard I am not the first to have this happen and that it can be welded? Should I send it to somebody specific with experience with these poles to weld, or would it be okay to just take it to any auto shop and have them do it? What kind of weld should be done to fix it? Can I just paint over it after?

I assume I will need to strip everything off the pole before it gets welded?

Finally, does this need to be addressed immediately?

Thanks.

 

[DarkWater]

It can and should be welded asap
Finding someone local shouldn't be a problem.

 

[rollin5150]

You will want to find someone that can TIG weld aluminum. Get it fixed ASAP.

 

[SuperJETT]

Ask djkorn about welding UMI poles.

 

[slamb33]

thanks guys

if it is going to be TIG welded, will that heat everything up, or could I leave stuff attached to the pole if I decide to be lazy and not pull it off the ski?

also, any ball park of a fair price to do it?

 

[SirMrManGuy]

thanks guys

if it is going to be TIG welded, will that heat everything up, or could I leave stuff attached to the pole if I decide to be lazy and not pull it off the ski?

also, any ball park of a fair price to do it?

Take it all apart, sorry. It will heat up, and the guy doing the welding will want to sit it on a bench to be able to move it around to get himself into the best position possible.

I wouldn't look for an auto repair shop to do this job, most of the repair shops just have smaller MIG machines and only have experience with welding steel exhaust pipes and the occasional suspension bracket. Aluminum is a different animal, requires a different setup machine (TIG is the best for this repair, but a shop with an aluminum spool gun and a larger MIG could do it).

You'll need to find a shop with experience TIG welding aluminum. Possibly a custom or race shop. If you have a good local machine shop they may be able to do it too (if you have an engine builder around ask them, the'll know who's good).

I'd expect to pay at least an hour's labor probably in the $70-90 range.

 

[djkorn1]

Take it apart and get it welded by an aluminum welder locally....I will probably break again somewhere else. I broke 2 UMIs. One I actually broke in half. I bet I broke them 7 times total....I paid $40 each time I got it welded...switched to XMetal..no probs yet.

I break them from slamming em on the hood.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

I believe Gil broke his a bunch of times also, he finally got an X-metal pole.

 

[MCrider]

Take it apart and get it welded by an aluminum welder locally....I will probably break again somewhere else. I broke 2 UMIs. One I actually broke in half. I bet I broke them 7 times total....I paid $40 each time I got it welded...switched to XMetal..no probs yet.

I break them from slamming em on the hood.

huh

fiberglass 1....alum 0

 

[slamb33]

awesome, thanks guys.

 

[broncochris]

I know UMI has fix one for me a few years back.

 

[Sparkplug]

My buddy smashed a hole in his hood with a stock rn pole.

Ive been riding 2 and a half hard yrs, and never hit my pole on the hood ever, what are you guys doing wrong. Ha jk

As said above, get it welded by a real welder. It doesnt have to be tig, it can be done with a wire feed spool gun and aluminum wire. The welder will know the best and most effective method. Expect 50-100 bucks for that repair.

 

[slamb33]

I dropped this off today for repair at a local shop. Told me $40min, $100 per hour. Said max 1 hr charge. Will post up results when it is finished.

 

[slamb33]

got it welded by a local shop. $65. Looks real solid.

Thanks for the help and input.