Frame fill

Just thinking, I am getting my frame powder coated and when
I took the motor out and moved the frame around I notice
some rusty water coming out of the drain holes.
I was wondering when I get my frame back if I was to fill
it with expansion foam if that would help it out by keeping
the moisture out?

 

I assume that would help. If you end up doing that let me know how it goes I am very interested in how it turns out.

 

I know literally nothing about that kind of stuff, but wouldn't the foam be flammable in case you needed to weld at a later time?

 

Good point wonder if there is any non flamable

 

You can get it in a non-flammable form they use it in houses all the time, you can get it at Home Depot or Lowes

 

So has any one tried this or think it will work

 

I have never tried it, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I would take the frame completely apart to do it though, it might expand into places you don't want it to and with it apart you can trim away any unwanted foam

 

My concern with this would be - unless you can get the foam REALLY tightly packed in there, wouldn't it create crevices for water to get TRAPPED?

 

I think a possible way to minimize the risk of leaving pockets would be to make your own extension for the tube that comes with the foam can, run the tube all the way up the frame then back it out as you fill.

 

The issue I see is that our frames flex, and you will never get the foam to seal the tubes completely.

 

I used the expansion foam to do much the same thing on a car years ago to find it actaully attracts moisture and made things worse. The drain holes are there for a reason (to let moisture out) The only way I see of stopping any rust that has occured over time would be to fog the inside of the frame with fogging oil and weld the holes shut maybe? Will it stop the frame from rusting if it already started? Can't answer that one. Just a thought.

 

well think i'm gonna stay away from the foam ... sounds to iffy. My drain holes didn't work too well, there was water coming out of them. hmmmm

 

hang the frame from the steering neck and see what come out...yuck

 

if there was water coming OUT of the drain holes, it would seem the me that they are working correctly then. You did say DRAIN holes, right?

 

This may sound extreme, but if you were to "tap" a grease fitting into the drain hole then start pumping grease in until it starts coming out the top then I think it would displace any moisture and the grease would prevent further rusting.

 

Blast the inside of the frame with shop air to dry it, then get some WD40 or sim' in there, DON"T use foam, keep the inside clear for air circulation.

 

when you get it back from powdercoat it'll be dry
the thing is to find how it's getting in, you don't fill your attic with foam because a shingle's missing
my seca has a open end on the frame by the rear shock mount and a drain hole under the swingarm pivot cap, if that hole clogs the next place water goes is into the lower frame by the kickstand
clean out the drains and plug the hole in the roof so it can't get in

 

yes water did come out of the drain holes but only after lifting the frame up,
i may put a couple more small holes in it.
Grease wouldn't work i don't think, any little moisture and vibration would make the grease runny and may drip grease, may make a mess or get places you don't want it .

 

Grease sounds like a good idea in theory, but once the vibration get going and that grease oozes out? What if it gets on your tires or something? Sounds pretty risky to me. Why can't you dry it out with air and WD40 it like Wiz said and then just seal it up tight to keep moisture out? Just a thought.

 

Imagine how heavy that grease would make it...

 

Not sure about sealing it especailly in my are close to the ocean. If the inner tubing sweats and turns to h2o then that would be bad
thinking I'll keep Wd40 in it regularly and keep it well aired