Welding on the steering stem, remove bearings?

[Spiff]

I need to weld on a small tab on the center of my steering stem to allow me to bolt on a headlight and fairing bracket.

Do I need to remove the bearings and such? Isn't there just one on the bottom and one on the top of the steering stem? Shouldn't be to affected by the heat, OR? Please advice

[hikermikem]

I need to weld on a small tab on the center of my steering stem to allow me to bolt on a headlight and fairing bracket.

Do I need to remove the bearings and such? Isn't there just one on the bottom and one on the top of the steering stem? Shouldn't be to affected by the heat, OR? Please advice

I wouldn't think it would hurt anything...some small fillet welds on the stem should be fine.

[rapidray]

If you are welding toward the center of the stem you will be fine. Ray.

[chuck hahn]

Im with Ray on this. My only concern would be right over a race and heat effecting it.

[08rangerdan]

Go for it. No harm will come from it. If your worried tack it in place and weld in small 1" lines and let cool, but i would just get in and get it done. Shouldnt make too much heat

[landspeedrich]

I'd try to get a good ground on the neck for your ground clamp(assuming your tig or migging it).Even if you need to scrape some paint,to keep any funkie grounding going thru your frames wiring or neck bearings.Skip weld and let it cool between passes.Should be a piece of cake.

[Spiff]

Thanks guys, that makes things a little less complicated

[the oldstuff]

Isn't there a risk of arcing in the bearings if electric welding?

[850GT_Rider]

Isn't there a risk of arcing in the bearings if electric welding?

Only if the ground is on the other side of the bearings from where you're welding, creating an electrical path thru the bearings.

[Spiff]

If you're afraid of arching you could always do a braze weld I would guess?

EDIT: And it shouldn't get as hot as welding with MIG/TIG?