Quick question on rear shock gusset thickness..

[therichisgood]

I'm about to jump on redoing the rear end on my 78 Hawk II.. what would be a recommended thickness for the steel plate used for the new rear shock mounts?

 

[cosworth]

Depends on the grade of steel you are using. If it's welded right, high carbon, designed right, a simple 1/4 tab is beeftastic. If you know what you are up to, 3/16ths can work.

Do you want it to break or do want it to weigh less? That's your answer.

 

[therichisgood]

Great, thanks. I was thinking of using 1/4" I just wanted to confirm. I'd rather be a couple grams heavier and not have anything break 8)

 

[crazypj]

Use mild steel not high carbon steel, then you won't need the frame heat treated after welding
Properly designed 1/16" will be stronger and lighter than a single 1/4" piece
Look up Tony Foal frame design, he has a lot of pictures showing how to brace frames.
Michael Moore of Vintage Brake also has some good information on his 'Eurospares' site
http://www.eurospares.com/other.htm